Groundation: Valentine's Day Finale

I had a hot date with ten incredible people on Valentine's Day at the Groundation concert at the Independent in San Francisco, CA. It was a bittersweet ending to an amazing tour, but more sweet than bitter. My energy was off balance from a couple of days of mishaps and trials, so I needed the upliftment I would receive from this conscious group singing Bob Marley's conscious music. I hadn't had plans for Valentine's Day in quite a while, so this was a treat. I see love as love, not divided into categories, so I feel this day can be celebrated with anyone you love, not just a romantic interest. And let's face it, I love Groundation.

Some of the group's friends and family filed in, enhancing the atmosphere of love which is appropriate for the day and Bob Marley's music. Of course I made a new friend from my World Music Lovers group and she was primed to dance to some reggae...my kind of lady. I was a little sad when I greeted the group as I was cognizant of the fact that this may be the last time I see them for a while. But, they are like family to me, and just as with family, the love never evaporates, it just simmers until the next meeting.

Everyone in the band was on fire, playing their hearts out for their loved ones and fans on this final leg of the tour. I'm always in awe of their musicianship and cohesiveness as a group. They played two sets, and the second set was an inferno. Everyone in this group is so talented that I know their union was divinely made.  Marcus Urani burns up the keyboards, David Chachare tells intricate and emotional stories on the trumpet, Ryan Newman seduces you with his bass, Kelsey Howard adds flavor on the trombone, Te Kanawa "Rufus" Haereiti drives the music and puts the umf in your groove, Mingo "Star" Lewis Jr. awakens your tribal spirit on the timbales and congas, Kim Pommell and Kerry Ann Morgan stir your soul with their sweet voices and spirited dance moves, and then there's Harrison "The Professor" Stafford. With his unique voice, both audibly and stylistically, he tells the story of the oppressed and downtrodden, spreads the message of love, peace, equality, and hope, and educates the masses (thus the name Professor)...all the while giving you rhythm on the guitar.

I will never run out of good things to say about this group, but the best way to understand what I mean is to see them live. Yes, I'm making it my mission to get this conscious music to the masses in America...Europe, South America, and Oceania are already dialed in to this consciousness. This country is at a crossroads...one path leads to destruction, the other to redemption. You will know which path is which by the music. Groundation's music, and all conscious music will lead you to redemption. The president may be able to change policy and laws (though not without a fight from congress) but musicians can change minds, hearts, and spirits. I am grateful to have music in my life, and I give special thanks to and for Groundation for bringing me so much joy and hope. Peace, blessings, and music.

Video: Song, "Daniel" from "Building an Ark" new Groundation album due out March 2012

The King, the Queen, and Groundation

What better place to celebrate the king of reggae than at the El Rey (which means "the king" in Spanish) Theatre in Los Angeles? I tell you the place was pulsating with "positive vibrations" from the moment I walked in the door.  I knew I had to stake out my front stage spot early because the crowd had encircled the floor. I, again, made new friends in my front stage spot...actually, we recognized that we stood next to each other the last time Groundation played the El Rey in August. With no Raggamuffin festival this year, L.A. was ready for a Bob Marley tribute...and they were going to get a great one.

Roger Steffens

I was a little nervous because sometimes at L.A. events, some people are "too cool" to let loose and enjoy themselves. But L.A.'s truly "cool" were at the El Rey that night. When renowned reggae archivist Roger Steffens came out on stage to introduce Groundation, the electricity in the air intensified, and I knew we were in for an exciting ride. This crowd recognized each Bob Marley and Groundation tune in two notes or less and went crazy each time they started a song. I knew I was amongst die hard fans because they (we) were singing every lyric to every song, both Bob's and Groundation's.

This tour has made me realize that one of the things I love about Groundation is their similarity to Bob Marley and the Wailers.  Bob Marley and the Wailers' music was made for the bass and horns, and Ryan Newman (bass), Kelsey Howard (trombone) and David Chachare (trumpet) definitely accentuated that fact.  I mean really, who doesn't know "Sun is Shining" from the first three notes which come from the bass? Ryan Newman put the stank (technical term for so funky it's smells...ok, not really) on the crowd.

The roof was bouncing at the El Rey that night and I could literally feel the crowd reverberating behind me. It was no surprise then when an over exuberant fan jumped on stage during Mingo Lewis Jr.'s conga drum solo. I told you he calls out queen Nyahbinghi herself, and this young lady must have been possessed by her. Thank goodness for my brother the tour manager/bouncer Hossein Attar who acted with the swiftness and power of a lion on an antelope and swooped her off stage before Mingo and Harrison got caught up in her frolicking.  I can't blame her though. I've wanted to jump on stage and dance with them many times.

Groundation does the best Bob Marley tribute other than the Marley offspring themselves that I've ever seen or heard. I'm a purist and very particular about how Bob Marley's songs are played and sung. If I felt Groundation didn't do Bob's music justice, trust me, I'd tell them. But they do, and this is why I keep recommending you see them.  I love this group and each individual in it. That's why I'm spending Valentine's Day with them at The Independent in San Francisco, CA. It's the last show of the tour, so if you can make it, you should. Bob Marley + Groundation=LOVE. Peace, blessings, and music.

Groundation + Bob Marley=Healing

Friday night, I found that my bruised ego was still tender from the sting of rejection and betrayal. It really needs to be amputated. Maybe it will get gangrene and fall off. At any rate, I was very much in need of healing and I knew Groundation would be the best salve.  I had a feeling this show would be particularly hot because it was in their "hometown," if you will, Petaluma, CA near Sonoma State University where it all started.

I could feel the energy from the crowd long before the group went on stage at the Mystic Theatre. I felt a restlessness building inside of me signaling that my body needed to move. For some reason, my emotions were resting on my skin ready to cry, laugh, scream, or dance. I was particularly sensitive to the vibes around me...and anxious for some music. I suspect I wasn't the only one...as the crowd grew, so did the energy.

At the front of the stage at a concert, especially a Groundation concert, is the one place I feel completely free. This particular scenario is like church for me. If you've ever seen people in southern baptist churches "catch the holy spirit," then you know what I'm feeling when Harrison Stafford starts to wail, or when Marcus Urani  is pounding the keyboards looking as if he's whispering incantations to evoke Hathor (the Egyptian goddess of love, music, and dancing).

I love to dance because it makes me feel free. When I hear good music, my body wants to move. When I hear great music, my body and spirit fly. I'm not sure if I look cute or crazy when I'm dancing at a concert, but my ego is powerless in that situation and I just don't care. These musicians are playing, singing, and dancing their hearts out...I'm going to show appreciation and join them.

The intensity of the solos and all of the energy from the crowd and the band was almost too much for me. Trumpet player David Chachere made "Rat Race" sultry and emotive during his jazzy solo. Perhaps it was my sensitive state, but when Mr. Chachere had an interlude that evoked a myriad of emotions including awe of his spectacular finger work on that trumpet and then moved right into Groundation's "Jah Jah Know" ,,,tears came to my eyes. That's what's beautiful about both Bob Marley's and Groundation's music; they're both empathetic, prophetic, impelling, and inspirational. I never got to see Bob Marley play live, so I am especially grateful that Groundation does this tribute, and does it so well. I can't wait for the next show. Peace, blessings, and music.

Groundation + Bob Marley=Home

I've spoken often about the power of music, and I will again today. Most of you know my love for Groundation's music, however, I've only hinted about my love for Bob Marley and his music. I experienced a shift in my life when I began listening to Bob's music. My perspective about myself, the world, and humanity changed in such a way that my consciousness was elevated. Before that time, my spirit seemed to sit in limbo on a never ending search for truth. Bob's music revealed the path my spirit was to take and I've not looked back.

Groundation seemed to pull me out of a ditch on that road and gave me a gentle push towards the throne. So as you can imagine, a concert with Groundation playing Bob Marley's songs is like a homecoming for me. They say home is where the heart is. February 2, 2012 at the New Parish in Oakland, CA, Groundation welcomed me with open arms.

I met some new friends from my World Music Lovers group and everyone seemed excited to hear the band play, most for the first time. We staked out a prime spot in the front (ok I staked out the spot...that's the only way I do concerts) and warmed up to the funky roots Dj Jaques was spinning. When the band walked on stage, I felt like I was seeing old friends I hadn't seen in a while. The beauty of going to a Groundation concert is that you know you're always going to get a great show, and that was comforting.

I was pleased to hear them play many of Bob's songs that most artists seem to either forget about or shy away from in their tributes  like "Screw Face," "Caution," "She's Gone," "One Drop," and "One Love," (the original ska version). Bob Marley has a wealth of great songs and Groundation's well trained and incredibly talented musicians are able to take those songs to new heights. At a Groundation concert, one is treated with delicious mindblowing solos from the band. I love it because you can feel their passion. One of my new friends told me, "I didn't realize how sexy the trombone was until tonight." I can see how that strange instrument could be looked upon as sensual with the sliding and delicate hand and lip placement...but I think it's the fervor with which Kelsey Howard plays the instrument that evoked such a feeling within the young lady.

The band played two sets which was a treat for me. I danced hard, sang along, and loved every second of it. My new friends were also very impressed, not only by the musicianship of the band, but also by how personable they were as some of them came and met with the audience after the show. It was a great night...wait till you hear about the next night. Peace,  blessings, and music.

Groundation: The Prequal

I'm getting excited as my "reunion" with Groundation (my favorite roots reggae band...if you didn't know) is coming up in seven days. I know I've mentioned them a lot in my blogs, but it's because their music has had a profound effect on my life. I can't really say that about many artists' music. I will say that their music's effect  on me was akin to Bob Marley's.

Groundation fell into my lap out of nowhere. I had only heard one song, "Groundation Chant," on my Bob Marley station on Pandora.  The first thing that got my attention was the one two beat of the drum that I've heard so often at Nyahbinghi* gatherings. Then I heard the words "Please believe me when I say, there will come a day when everyone shall see unification." Now, I tell you, at this particular point in my life, I felt like everyone around me was bent on separating and distancing themselves from one another, so they had me at "unification." This is conscious music that uplifts...a rare commodity these days.

A few months later, I saw them for the first time at the Raggamuffin Festival, which is a Bob Marley celebration in the Los Angeles area. I admit, I was a little skeptical at first because I had only heard the one song, and not everyone can do Bob Marley justice. Those of you who are Bob Marley fans know that there is nothing worse than someone destroying one of his songs. Nevertheless, I was front and center ready to give them a chance. I was encouraged (and impressed) when I saw Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace sitting on drums. Mr. Wallace has played with many of the great reggae artists and was in the movie "Rockers."

Mr. Wallace boosted my confidence in the group, but they still had to play Bob's music. I was surprised (and relieved) at the musicianship of the band. The music was as tight and clean as a recording. Harrison Stafford delivered the tunes in his own personal style without muddying up the original sound. You see, that's where many artists go wrong when singing Bob Marley's songs. They want to put so much of their own personal touch that the songs don't sound the same...or the musicians just don't play very well. The only disappointment of the performance was that it was too short. It was, however, a festival with other artists still to perform including Bob Marley's son Stephen.

It will be a treat to be able to hear Groundation perform more of The Legend's songs, and some of their own, including songs from their album to be released in March. I love being able to chill with this great group of people...but the music is the thing. It's like I'm plugging myself in and I'm fully charged and renewed when I leave. I'm going to try to blog after each show. Perhaps Mr. Stafford will even bless me with a short interview? (Are you reading this Harrison? Someone forward this to him please) If you're in northern or southern California, I hope you decide to see a show so you can experience what I'm trying to express. You can see the schedule here. For those of you wondering, no, I don't work for them...yet.  More to come...Love, light, and

music.

*A Rastafari spiritual gathering with drumming and chanting