After dropping three notable singles, Groundation releases “Market Price,” an inspiring spiritual track showcasing the diversity of the group’s upcoming studio album One Rock. The fourth single kicks off with slow dreamy piano notes, before breaking into an uptempo jazz melody that then slides into sunny, soothing reggae. The music creates a sonic reflection with the music balancing out the heaviness of the lyric. On “Market Price,” bandleader and songwriter Harrison Stafford rages against a sick, immoral society, stating, “Please don’t judge man’s soul tonight, we’re not ready, Lord.” In the end, the song’s message is one of hope and optimism: “This is not the end you see, for I believe in prophecy, and there’s a riddim inside of we a gonna shift society!” As with the first three singles, a video for “Market Price” has been produced by Harrison’s childhood friend Roger Hall, being released the same day. In speaking about this new single, Harrison Stafford said the song “represents one of the most complex and lyrically potent songs of the entire Groundation catalog. More than two decades into a storied career, Groundation returns this year with their 10th studio album, One Rock. The band, formed in 1998 by vocalist/guitarist Harrison Stafford, has helped define American roots reggae, while building a large and loyal following in Europe and South America, where they have been a consistent major headliner and festival attraction for years. One Rock keeps their sound and legacy moving ever forward through 9 intense songs featuring complex arrangements, moving melodies, and lyrics that touch on the human condition, human spirit, and the state of the world. Always a group to respect their elders and forebears, Groundation makes history yet again by bringing together the legendary reggae vocal groups Israel Vibration, The Abyssinians, and The Congos. One Rock is set for release May 13, via a partnership between France’s BACO Records and the U.S.’s Easy Star Records. The album’s previous singles include “Original Riddim,” a song revolving around the universal story of how music is a part of the spark that began our human experience. In that track, Stafford welcomes the listener into the conversation, “Before man walked and talked about, they formed a union where no tribe was left out, you are not left out!” A music video for the song, directed by Roger Hall and filmed on location in Jamaica, New York, Texas, Florida, and California, accompanies the single. Just as the song brings together Israel Vibration and The Abyssinians for the first time, the video also treads new ground by having both groups, along with The Congos and the members of Groundation, all together in one place. Second single “Human Race” crackles with infectious energy, with Stafford singing about love and unification. “If love was the rule, would all this remain the same?” he asks, making a powerful statement in these polarizing times. The result is an instantly memorable song, well balanced between roots reggae and jazz, which has been Groundation’s signature style that has brought so many fans into their music. The third single released was the title track “One Rock,” featuring the legendary Congos, well known for their work with Lee “Scratch” Perry, and their impressive vocal range. Groundation formed in 1998 when Stafford began a roots reggae/jazz fusion group with fellow students at the Jazz Performance program at Sonoma State University. The group’s first 2 albums (Young Tree and Each One Teach One) established their unique roots sound, while also beginning the band’s long affiliation with foundational reggae artists, as Each One Teach One features vocalist Marcia Higgs and drumming master Ras Michael. Stafford’s deep knowledge of the reggae genre led to him developing a course he taught at Sonoma State called “The History of Reggae Music,” where legends like Joseph Hill of Culture and historical icons like Abba Melchezadek (Haile Selassie’s private secretary) would come to share their personal experiences. In 1999, while in Jamaica, Harrison met the legendary engineer Jim Fox, who was involved with the production of many of RAS Records’ most iconic releases. Fox remastered both Young Tree and Each One Teach One and recorded Hebron Gate (2002), the album that launched Groundation to international acclaim. Fox has continued working with the band on every subsequent release, helping to shape their sound on We Free Again (2004), Upon The Bridge (2006), Here I Am (2009), Building An Ark (2012), and A Miracle (2014) creating a catalog of genre-bending, deep, progressive roots reggae music. Similarly, Groundation’s artwork had a consistent look and feel, in collaboration with Stafford’s childhood friend, Giovanni Maki, creating all visual designs from the very beginning. Through the years, Groundation has performed in over 35 countries on 5 continents. The band, which had number of personnel changes over the years, but always built around Harrison Stafford’s leadership, continued to bring reggae into new worlds, with their last studio album, The Next Generation (2018) opening with a full jazz big band (featuring 12 horn players). This album beat out Ziggy Marley and others to win Reggae.fr‘s “Best Roots Reggae Album of 2018,” voted on by over 16,000 media members, musicians, producers, and fans. The band has extensive tour dates and festivals set up for the coming year in Europe, South America, and in the USA.  |
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