Groundation

Groundation is an internationally renowned roots reggae band with a jazzy flavor hailing from Sonoma in Northern California. The name "Groundation" comes from the struggle to get everyone on the same level so they might educate each other and learn from each other absent of any hierarchical or class leveled system.

The band was formed in the fall of 1998 by Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani, and Ryan Newman. In 1999, Stafford teamed up with Kris Dilbeck to found Young Tree Records following the release of Groundation's debut album of that same name. In 2000 they added David Chacherethe, a San Francisco based Jazz trumpeter, and Kelsey Howard, a North Bay trombone player, to the line up. Saxophonist Jason Robinson has since gone on to become the head of the Jazz program at UC San Diego. Also between 1999 and 2001, Stafford taught the first course on the History of Reggae Music at Sonoma State University. Drummer Paul Spina (Les Claypool, Will Bernard’s Mother Bug) has been with the group since taking over for James Stafford in December 2001.

Groundation emerged from the studio with their 4th album, entitled “We Free Again,” in November of 2004. The music is committed to the task of groundbreaking originality. Their previous release, “Hebron Gate,” received a nomination for Germany’s coveted “World Music Award." For this release, Groundation united for the first time in reggae history Apple Gabriel (Israel Vibration) and Don Carlos (Black Uhuru). Their most recent release, "Dub Wars," combines tracks from "Hebron Gate" (dub versions originally released on the LP Dragon War YTR-1220) and "We Free Again." These dub versions engineered by Jim Fox (Lion & Fox) and redubed by keyboardist Marcus Urani really get to the heart of the band's sound. As of April 2006, the band has been in the studio with the legendary Fox to record the upcoming album release, "Upon the Bridge," which is due out in Fall.

Its current eight roster of musicians is as follows:

Harrison Stafford (lead singer)

Ryan Newman (bassist)

Kelsey Howard (trombone)

Derry Armstrong (chorus)

Marcus Urani (keyboard)

David "Diesel" Chachere (trumpet)

Paul Spina (drums)

Mingo Lewis Junior (conga, percussions)

Discography

(1999) Young Tree

(2001) Each One Teach One

(2002) Hebron Gate

(2002) Young Tree [remastered]

(2004) We Free Again

(2006) Dub Wars

(2006) Upon The Bridge [in production]

Track listing

(1999) Young Tree

1. (6:50) Long, Long Ago
2. (7:11) Glory To The Kings
3. (4:53) Confusing Situation
4. (4:15) Congress Man
5. (5:28) Craven Fe' Dead
6. (5:39) Dream
7. (5:55) Young Tree
8. (5:29) Vibes Alive
9. (6:49) Groundation Chant
10. (6:52) Grounding Dub

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(2001) Each One Teach One

1. (5:16) Weak Heart
2. (4:55) We Na Forget (Rome)
3. (5:55) Wanna Know
4. (6:46) Throwing Stones
5. (5:58) One More Day (Live It Up)
6. (5:25) Head Strong
7. (5:06) If I
8. (5:43) Waterfall
9. (7:38) Nyabinghi Order
10. (6:39) Jah Spirit
11. (5:40) Each One Teach One

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(2002) Hebron Gate

1. (6:03) Jah Jah Know
2. (7:03) Babylon Rule Dem
3. (6:08) Silver Tongue Show
4. (6:43) Weeping Pirates
5. (6:10) Picture On The Wall
6. (4:53) Something More
7. (5:09) Hebron
8. (6:02) Freedom Taking Over
9. (5:52) Undivided

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(2002) Young Tree [Remastered] ...Same as listed above

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(2004) We Free Again

1. (6:02) Praising
2. (7:12) Dem Rise
3. (5:21) Suffer The Right
4. (6:56) Music Is The Most High
5. (5:51) Wish Them Well
6. (0:57) We Free Again
7. (6:33) Smile
8. (4:13) Fourth Dimension
9. (4:39) Feel Jah
10. (2:05) Cultural Wars I
11. (3:04) Cultural Wars II
12. (1:59) Cultural Wars III
13. (4:58) Cultural Wars IV
14. (6:10) The Seventh Seal

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(2006) Dub Wars

1. (7:04) Ruling Dub
2. (5:52) Don's Intro
3. (5:32) Elder's Dub
4. (6:42) The Dragon
5. (5:27) Elements
6. (7:11) Dub Rise
7. (5:51) Dub Them All
8. (6:03) The Mountain
9. (4:47) Feel Jah's Dub
10. (6:05) The Seventh Dub

External links

• Groundation Official Website