Groundation has seen its share of member changes over the years but the band has been guided and directed by its front-man Harrison Stafford, who founded the group in 1998. In 2022, we find Harrison dropping Groundation’s 10th studio album via a partnership between France’s BACO Records and the U.S.’s Easy Star Records.
The album is titled One Rock and is expected to drop May 13th. After releasing two singles, Groundation unleashes the title track from its upcoming new studio album featuring vocals from the legendary CONGOS, well known for their work with Lee “Scratch” Perry, and their impressive vocal range. In addition to The Congos, the album features a guest appearance from The Abyssinians, as well as Israel Vibration on 2 tracks with the previously released “Original Riddim” and the albums closing track, “Iron.”
Watch: Groundation – Original Riddim” (ft. Israel Vibration & The Abyssinians)
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. 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.
For One Rock Harrison once again tapped legendary engineer Jim Fox who has been behind much of the groups releases since 1999 and as late as 2012’s Building An Ark, 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.
Discussing the album, Harrison Stafford tells The Pier: “The idea of an album for me is a collection of songs that belong together and make each other somehow sound better and feel more impactful as a whole. Still each song has a vibe. Having said this, ‘Original Riddim’ and the fact that Israel Vibration, who really has never featured on someone’s album, on the song as well as The Abyssinians. I mean one could not dream of a more wicked feature on a roots reggae song about the oneness of music and sound.”
Groundation – One Rock Tracklist:
1.) Original Riddim (ft Israel Vibration & The Abyssinians)
2.) Human Race
3.) Greed
4.) Day When The Computer Done
5.) Market Price
6.) Silver and Gold
7.) One Rock (ft. The Congos)
8.) Absolutely Clear
9.) Iron (ft. Israel Vibration)
Groundation has performed in over 35 countries on 5 continents and will continue that journey as the band has extensive tour dates and festivals set up for the coming year in Europe, especially in France, South America and the U.S. All upcoming dates & related links can be found below.
Related Links:
Groundation Website
@Instagroundation
Groundation Facebook
Article By: Mike Patti
Watch: Groundation – “One Rock” (ft The Congos)
