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.

Travel Wide...and drink the kool-aid: Groundation

Bob Marley said, "If you're not living good, travel wide." Living good for me means great live music, so I hit the road yesterday morning for an eight hour drive to see, yes, Groundation play in Solana Beach, CA at the Belly Up. I made good time, of course, until I hit L.A. during rush hour (things I DON'T miss about L.A.). My eight hour drive then turned into 10. My joints seemed to be locked into one position, I was hungry, and all of the red lights in front of me made me want to scream. But Bob Marley was singing "Don't worry about a thing...cause every little thing is gonna be alright." (Bob is great road trip music), and I knew it would all be worth it.


The concert was sold out and the energy was high. I met other Groundation fans who used the same words I always use when talking about the group and Harrison Stafford. It was comforting to know I wasn't the only one who "drank the kool-aid." If you let it, good music will get under your skin....great music will get into your spirit. That's the "kool-aid" I'm referring to. Groundation fans always seem to be just like their music, full of love, peace seeking, and aware of our oneness. I always make new friends at their shows.


The band seemed to have even more joyful energy and eagerness to please the crowd. It must be the beautiful southern California sun and surf...the beach was blocks away.  No two shows are ever the same with Groundation which is why I try to see as many as possible. They really could phone a performance in and still put on a great show, but I have yet to see that happen. These musicians just seem to keep getting better and more excited about their craft.


When I grow up, I want to be Kim Pommell and Kerry Ann Morgan (Kerry Starr). These queens are fierce. They move with such energy, style, and precision, and then deliver soulful sounds without being out of breath. They make it look easy, but trust me, it isn't...I've tried to keep up with them.  The two of them do the I-threes proud in these tributes. Their voices are perfect for Bob's songs.


I was sure my brain would be mush by the end of the show because the solos were blowing my mind. If the drums are the engine that drives a band, last night Te Kanawa "Rufus" Haereiti took Groundation on the Autobahn. Kelsey Howard continues to amaze me on the trombone. I'll admit, I always saw the trombone as a two note instrument useful only in marching bands and orchestras. Mr. Howard keeps proving me wrong by showing me all of the different stories, moods, and emotions the trombone has. Harrison Stafford is anointed. He's talented, soulful, and believe it or not, the coolest man I know. I'm not just referring to how nice he is, I'm talking about charisma and style...the "it" factor...he doesn't try, and you may not be able to tell by looking at him, but he has it.


 I'm so happy I made the journey to see this show. I'm going to keep drinking this "kool-aid" because it brings me euphoria, peace, love, and new experiences. There's no spaceships, special clothing, secret handshakes, or passwords...just great conscious music. Bob Marley was right, "you gotta, travel wide." Take the journey with me, happiness awaits. 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.