Groundation: "Building an Ark"-A Fan's Review

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California reggae band Groundation is a reggae/jazz fusion band influenced by many other genres. One thing I can say for sure is that they are consistent in their regard to quality and growth. They are diligent about evolving their sound, they stay true to conscious roots reggae music, and their musicianship is always on point. Do not, however, confuse this consistency with a lack of diversity. Although fans can always recognize Groundation’s rich sound, one can never say one album sounds like the next. Their seventh and latest studio album release Building an Ark is a perfect example of this diversity and consistent growth.

The album, much like Groundation’s collection as whole, progresses like a story. The title track “Building an Ark” starts off as a ballad-like acoustic with Harrison Stafford getting as close as you may ever hear him get to “crooning” a love song in a traditional sense. The lyrics, of course, have a myriad of meanings, so those of you not wanting a ballad from this roots man will be satisfied.

The story continues with chapters about judgment, “Flames burn hot and red, a fierce fire for them” (Merry-go-round), and corruption, “Robert Mugabe led the people dem astray/Bruce you know you lead the people dem astray” ( Payaka Way). It arcs with “The Dreamer,” a song with a clear country influence (Willie Nelson in particular). Harrison Stafford (the dreamer) sings of himself “As a cowboy I come riding my golden chariot” and emphasizes the album’s hopeful tone, “So plant your seed and teach your children of all unseen/for we have not lost sight of the dream.”

In true roots style, the album has a few biblical references. Besides “Building an Ark,” there’s “Daniel,” a reference from the book of Daniel in the bible. In this funky tune, Harrison Stafford recounts, “Just like Daniel heading out of the lion’s den/When all of his bredrin, they all left him for dead.” But also true to roots reggae, there are songs that are prophetic, and a commentary of the times. “Payaka Way,” speaks directly to the greed occurring around the globe and could be an anthem for occupiers, “Recession you can feel is all about money/So much pressure you can’t deal it is all about money/Oppression of the poor it is all about money/The rich is getting richer still they want more Money.”

Any Groundation fan will tell you that nothing compares to a live performance, primarily because of the lively solos. Building an Ark, the album, comes close to being a live album. Rife with solos, the members of the band stretch their musical chops, giving the listener a taste of the scope of their skills. “Daniel” even has a soulful guest guitar solo by Lukas Nelson, son of Willie Nelson.

As much as the album name contains a tapestry of meanings; “Ark” referring to Noah’s Ark in Genesis, the Ark of the Covenant (the sacred chest which holds the Ten Commandments), and ark as a place of protection or refuge, so does the music. Each track is intricately built with levels of all seven instruments and music from more exotic instruments like the conk shell on “Humility.”  Although Groundation is loyal to unadulterated roots reggae, their music is not your father’s reggae. With the characteristic reggae “riddim” as the base, Groundation cooks up a thick musical stew with the lyrics as the “protein.”  Staples are then added to this musical banquet in the form of horns, bass, keyboards, drums, and timbales to create hearty comfort food that fills the belly of the soul. Harrison Stafford, Kim Pommell, and Kerry Ann Morgan add flavorful seasonings with the broad range of their voices to finish off this rich musical feast. The album closes with another more melancholy acoustic “Sun Light Reflection” which laments, “And what if our history, Is but the endless struggle of wolves and sheep?” signaling Groundation is not done telling this story.

Purchase album at groundation.com, groundation.fr or iTunes

Think Like a Queen

There's a new movie out called "Think Like a Man" based on Steve Harvey's book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man." When the book first came out, Steve Harvey said he wanted to help women who were successful in all areas of their lives except 'how to get and keep a man.' Since the movie was released, however, the conversations have been about how women should think like men.

This is troublesome because men and women don't think alike because we are not alike. We have different strengths so that we can have balance in the world. Harvey says women need to understand that men are driven by what they do, who they are (his title), and how much they make; and these things will always take precedence over a woman until he accomplishes them.  Honestly, I think Steve Harvey's time could have been better spent helping men see what's truly important in life (family, helping others, peace, love,etc.) and placing more value on those things. Instead, he implies that a woman's loving, giving, trusting, and compassionate nature will leave her lonely.

It seems to be the nature of our society to tell the "wronged" to change rather than the "wrong doer." Women shouldn't dress a certain way to avoid being raped, African American youth shouldn't wear hoodies in certain neighborhoods to avoid being stereotyped (and perhaps killed), and now, women should avoid their true nature  to avoid being mistreated by men. I don't see how this will better serve women or men. My suggestion, women should think like Queens and Goddesses...just as men should think like Kings and Gods.

I am not suggesting women go around treating men or anyone else like their subjects, demanding expensive things or to be waited on, nor am I suggesting men go around conquering "foreign lands". Royalty carry themselves with a certain amount of dignity, pride, and self respect. Royals, after all, are believed to be chosen by God, a very high honor indeed. When you know your worth, because not only has a higher power taken special care to create you...but that higher power is IN you, you will behave in ways worthy of honor and respect, and receive it.

In the bible, King Solomon wrote this of  his beloved (the Queen of Sheba...Queen Makeda) 

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;    you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes,    with one jewel of your necklace. ¹⁰ How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!    How much more pleasing is your love than wine, (Song of Solomon 4: 9-10)

Ladies, how many men have written this to or about you? The Queen of Sheba was a known seeker of knowledge, and visited Solomon to seek the wisdom for which he was known. King Solomon was a loyal servant of God, and when he was made king, God said to him, "Ask of Me what you wish." Solomon asked for understanding and God was so pleased that he did not ask for long life, riches, or the life of his enemies, He not only granted Solomon wisdom and understanding like no other before him, or to come, but also all of the things for which he did not ask. (1Kings3). I use Solomon as an example because he was not only one of the greatest kings ever, but  because whether you believe this story is real, allegorical, or a tale, it is still true that once you seek wisdom, all else will follow. 

Women and men should not try to think or behave like each other. We are different for reasons...and different does not mean unequal. I like the idea that Eve was formed from Adams rib because it illustrates man and woman's connection. We are pieces the same puzzle that fit together perfectly, different sides of a scale providing perfect balance. This is a divine connection, a divine creation. So I say again, if we think like the divine Queens and Kings we are, we will achieve divine balance. Peace and blessings.

Signs, Signals, and Saviors

One day a man was fishing in his boat out in the ocean. Suddenly his boat sprang a leak, sank, and left the man treading water to survive. He considered himself a man of great faith and a servant of the Lord, so he knew God would save him and thus he began to pray. Soon, a man in a small boat came upon him and said, "grab my hand and I'll pull you into my boat." The man replied, "No thank you, God will save me." A couple of hours went by and the man was growing tired when a couple in a speed boat happened by. They threw a life ring in the water and shouted, "Take the ring and we'll pull you in!" But the man told them, "I am faithful that my God will save me, but thanks anyway." Another hour passed before a large fishing boat came and threw a life raft out to the man. "Jump in," the captain shouted, "We'll pull you to safety." But the faithful man informed the captain, "My God will save me, thank you." After another hour, the man, too weak to stay afloat, drowned. Being a faithful servant of God all of his life, he went straight to heaven. When he met his creator, the man asked with great consternation, "My Lord, I have been a faithful servant my entire life, why did you not save me?" God replied, "I sent you three boats."

I love this story because it has many lessons in it. One lesson that is most evident is that we often ask for guidance or help, but sometimes we can't recognize the help when it comes. I think a lot of people, when they want a sign, some direction, or help, expect to see a burning bush, or a blinding light and hear a booming voice. Sometimes the answers are right in front of us but we expect or want something else.  Miracles happen all around us everyday, we ARE miracles. But some of us just can't see them.


When I was a youth, I used to shoot baskets on the basketball court and say, "If I make this basket then that means I should  or shouldn't do x y z," not taking my own skill, or lack thereof into account. These days, I've learned to be in the moment, observing and experiencing everything and everyone around me. Being this aware of my basic surroundings has enabled me to see the forest, if you will. The more aware and in the moment we are able to be, the more obvious the signs, signals, and guidance becomes. Have you ever had a day where the same message has come to you many times? For instance, maybe you heard a song that said, "No fear, no fear, in my heart, oh no, oh no," then someone posted a saying on a social networking site that said, "There's nothing to fear, but fear itself." Would you begin to connect the dots back to the question in your head about whether or not to move to a new city, or change careers, or leave a relationship? Of course, you'd have to be self aware and realize that fear is a key component in your indecision.


I look and listen around my external world because I know that it matches my internal world. We, of course, already have the answers within us. When I am acutely aware and paying attention, the answers, guidance, signs and signals often appear as obvious as a burning bush. If the man in the above story was truly faithful,  he would have known that God, The Creator, the universe, sends help in many forms, and often without pomp and circumstance. Of course, all he had to do was pay attention.  Look, listen, and learn. Peace and blessings.

Is High Self Esteem Wrong?

I am compelled to write about a story I've been following lately. It is about a British woman who has written a blog about how beautiful she is and how other women are jealous of the preferential treatment she gets because of it. There has been a firestorm of backlash against this woman as a result. When she appeared on the 'Today' show, Ann Curry even called her "narcissistic." The woman followed up with a blog in which she shares that her father was the influence for her self love. He regularly told her she was beautiful when she was growing up. She listed what she knew others would see as flaws, but stated that she didn't see them when she looked in the mirror. She and her father have since endured yet another barrage of attacks. (click here to see story)


This story has really sickened me. In this day and age when women are especially scrutinized and judged on superficial qualities, when young girls are begging their parents for plastic surgery, when our definition of a women's worth is based on how closely she lives up to the airbrushed standards of the media, I would think a woman with such high self esteem would be applauded. Instead, she is berated for thinking so highly of herself. As I read the comments below the story, each of which picked apart this woman's every "flaw," I began to wonder where our society's values have gone.


I know men who only form close friendships with attractive women. I've seen women promote their physical beauty by posting many pictures of themselves (often half naked)on the internet. Conversely, I've seen other women proceed to find all of the things that are physically unattractive about another woman. Many of these same people often profess that true beauty comes from within. I must say, none of this behavior is very beautiful at all. These are the values we are teaching our children.


I wish I had this woman's self esteem. I know I possess a certain amount of inner beauty, but I am well aware that I don't live up to that airbrushed standard of beauty, and I am judged because of it. Despite what most people think, she actually has her ego in check because she isn't concerned with other people's opinions. I think her attackers also wish they had her self esteem.  How wonderful of her father to instill such confidence in his daughter at a young age. Perhaps if we as a society would cease promoting superficial beauty and learn to love ourselves as we are, we could concentrate on the real ugliness in the world, i.e. racism, poverty, war, injustice. Peace and blessings.

We Have All Lost Sight of the Dream

"In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline." ~Martin Luther King Jr. I Have a Dream delivered 28 August 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C

Many people don't remember this part of Dr. King's famous speech. I know this because I see and hear those who are oppressed showing bitterness and hatred  not only toward the oppressor, but toward others who are oppressed.  It seems that we are no longer on a mission of unity, but on one of separation.

There is no such thing as equal rights and justice if it is only for some. If equal means as great as, the same, and justice is the principle of fairness and moral rightness, then equal rights and justice only exist when it is given to all. Yet, many who fight for their own rights, at the same time want to keep others from theirs. Rather than trying to take away someone else's rights, we should be fighting to keep as many rights as we can.

There are so many excuses for separation, none of which are valid. To show partiality or prejudice because someone looks different, thinks differently, speaks differently, believes or lives differently is absurd because none of these characteristics affects another's life. Yet we wage these wars in our hearts against one another based on delusions. Black against brown, black against Jew, white against black, straight against gay, Christian against Jew, and so on is the busy work of the real enemies.

The real enemies are hatred, greed, and ignorance.  Instead of putting up a united front against these foes of humanity, we apportion ourselves into groups that fight each other. That fighting only gives birth to more soldiers for the enemy. Dr. King's dream was for freedom for all: 

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:                Free at last! Free at last!                Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

It seems we have all lost sight of the dream. PEACE and blessings.