On April 22nd, 2016, Roots of Creation will release their 3rd studio album, titled Livin Free. There is production courtesy of Sublime’s Marshall Goodman, also known as Ras MG, with a remix of RoC’s new song, “Struggle”, that we’re giving away for FREE…
You can download Roots of Creation’s new track, “Struggle” (Ras MG Remix), for FREE on our home page under the MP3 Leak of the Week on the right hand column! This Download will only be available until Saturday, March 19th, 2016.
Roots of Creation – “Struggle” (Ras MG Remix) – Download HERE (on The Pier homepage)
RoC’s New Album: Livin Free + “Struggle” EP:
Livin Free is a nod to the groups hometown New Hampshire state motto and is so much more than an 18-track LP. In addition to digital and retail CDs of the LP, Livin Free will be available as a 3-disc deluxe collection with both dub/remix and acoustic versions of 14 of the LP’s tracks.
Livin Free features guest performances by Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), Marshall “Ras MG” Goodman (Sublime, Long Beach Dub Allstars), the Rubblebucket horn section, Billy Kottage (Reel Big Fish), Bill Carbone (Zach Deputy, Max Creek), Grammy-nominated Pato Banton (Sting, UB40), and Mighty Mystic. Additionally, the album welcomes guest production by Yeti Beats (Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid) on “3x a Lady,” and Ras MG on “Struggle (Ras MG Remix).”
Prior to the LP’s release, a maxi-single/EP of the album’s first single, “Struggle,” was released on March 4th. This includes four unique versions of the song, one featuring Melvin Seals and Marshall “Ras MG” Goodman, another featuring only Melvin Seals, one remixed by Ras MG, and finally a solo acoustic version by Brett Wilson.
Working with Ras MG on “Struggle”:
As we’re giving away the Ras MG remix of “Struggle” for this week’s FREE MP3, we decided to reach out to Ras MG to see how this connection came to light. Marshall shares that: “My longtime Sublime cohort and friend, Jon Phillips, presented this project and I highly regard Phillips suggestions for the ‘So. Cal. style’ scene — he’s got a great ear! He sent me over 4 or 5 tracks to consider working with and I ended up doing ‘Struggle’ and one other named ‘Get Ready’.”
Marshall continues on to describe his interaction with the band, stating: “(RoC guitarist/lead singer) Brett Wilson and I got on a call and we discussed his aims for the songs and project. I realized that he is a very ‘down-to-earth’ guy, has great passion, and has an understanding of a good range of music styles. I always have discussions with artists about music, and stuff other than music, in order to get a read on their personality and character. Brett is a solid guy with talent and is nimble enough to try new concepts and approaches — which most artists these days refrain from. These elements definitely peaked my interest/willingness to work with Roots of Creation.”
To get a peak inside the mind of a great producer like Marshall Goodman, we wanted to get his perspective on the original version of “Struggle” and how his mix differs:
“In the original, the drums swing in a similar pocket to where the vocal sits. I chose to firm-up the drum feel to drive the song and create some syncopation between the vocal, bass, and drums/percussion. Establishing a rhythm pocket that best suits the vocal/melody is always the first thing I do with a song. I also added some guitar elements, a Gibson ES-140, some clean acoustic strumming, and electric riffs and skanks beginning in the second verse to add some variation and depth — all performed by my writing partner and fellow Bluesman Courtney Adams. My aim is to deliver the most expression with the least amount of elements — clean and simple, but rich. I think we got a pretty good balance on this one!”
RoC’s vocalist/guitarist Brett Wilson appears to agree as he spoke of Ras MG, explaining: “He is a true musician. He pushed me to the max and inspired me to keep my ears open to new sounds and ideas. The fact that Ras MG is a DJ and took the singer/songwriter element and blended the two moods perfectly makes the track shine and the lyrics start to come full circle.”
Livin Free Coming Soon:
The iTunes pre-order for both the standard LP and deluxe collection will begin on March 18th and include instant downloads of tracks “Struggle,” “Row Jimmy” (Grateful Dead), and “3x A Lady.”
You can pick up Roots of Creation’s new single, “Struggle” in 3 separate versions on iTunes by clicking HERE!
Roots of Creation Background:
Named after a Sublime song on the B-Side of the Badfish CD single, Roots of Creation is made up of founding members, guitarist/lead singer Brett Wilson, keyboardist Tal Pearson, and drummer Mike Chadinha. The trio came together at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire where they embraced the state motto, “Live Free or Die,” in their music and message. Today the original trio is joined by newest members Billy Kottage (Reel Big Fish) on trombone, rhythm guitar, keys and harmony vocals, Andrew Riordan on saxophone, synth and harmony vocals, and Nick Minicucci on bass. guitar.
RoC has toured internationally playing over 1,000 shows coast to coast, encouraging audience taping of shows amassing nearly a quarter of a million downloads of their live performances on music archive site, archive.org, and building a loyal and engaged fanbase, one by one.
Roots of Creation is now on tour, and this spring will perform select dates on the “Spring Blackout 2016 Tour” with The Expendables, Passafire, and Tunnel Vision. They’ll also perform select dates with Organically Good Trio (ft. Paul W. of Slightly Stoopid), Mighty Mystic, and Spiritual Rez.
Related Links:
Roots of Creation Website
Roots of Creation Facebook
Ras MG Website
Exclusive Sublime Blog
Huge thanks again to Roots of Creation for allowing us to share “Struggle” (Ras MG Remix) to post up for FREE download. Free music is a privilege that we’re grateful for and we appreciate the work these artists do! Please feel free to download this song for FREE and spread the awareness to your friends!
Enjoy the FREE track on the homepage!
Article By: Mike Patti
Photo By: Josh Coffman
Watch: Roots of Creation – “Struggle” (Live-Acoustic)