White-boy reggae from Northern California doesn’t necessarily sound very appetising, conjuring up images of stoned surfers in thrall of Jamaica. Yet Groundation, who formed way back in 1998, are seven albums down the track and still keen to bring something new to the genre: amazing musicianship. Whilst they’ve got the roots reggae sounds down — with drums, congas, bass, Hammond B3, horns, and guitar — there’s a very strong jazz and improv approach to the way they put the ingredients together. They played a blistering set during the hottest part of the day at this year’ Womadelaide, creating a lackadaisical, hypnotic groove, punctuated by these incredible instrument solos. This is something you rarely see in reggae sets; very few have these kind of chops.
Yet, most instruments on Building an Ark get an opportunity to shine. Curiously, it feels so natural, the transitions into some of the jazzier moments feeling like the next logical development for the music. You only really question when you suddenly realise, in the midst of a frenetic organ solo, that the tune started off with a relaxed reggae groove. There’s a lush fusion feel at times, providing the album with a rich sheen, something that will, no doubt, upset roots purists. Yet, to be fair, with their melange of genre diversions, this is clearly something that doesn’t upset Groundation too much.
Building An Ark is conscious music liberally dosed with biblical references, which reinforces their commitment to roots music. But the consciousness goes much further, seemingly suggesting that we are one world, one music, as they break down the barriers between pop, blues, jazz and soul, with tunes up to seven odd minutes.
Some of the tunes on Building an Ark such as ‘Humility’, are immediately rewarding, with possibility the catchiest vocal hook/chorus the band have ever written, soul horns and jazzy organ. Yet much of the album is a little more complex. Groundation are a lot more than you initially expect, despite the listener being at times confused, the band are very much self assured and offering something new to a genre filled with pale imitators. Just don’t hold where they come from against them.
Bob Baker Fish
