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

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.