Groundation at Skipper's Smokehouse

Date: Tue 31 of Aug., 2010

Talent: Groundation/Trinity 7?

Doors: 8p | Cost: $12/15 | Age: 21+

Location: Skipper's Smokehouse
» Tampa, FL

Groundation (REGGAE)
For more than a decade, the Northern California-based, nine-piece collective has spread their message of positivity through the medium of roots reggae infused with elements of jazz, funk, dub and more. Here I Am, Groundation's sixth studio album, released on the band’s own Young Tree label, was recorded following a period of extensive touring that took Groundation not only to locales as far-flung as Israel, Morocco, Europe and South America but, for the first time, east of the Rockies within their own country. Now, finally, the band that has long been considered a sensation in so many other countries, an American torchbearer of this vital form of music—reggae—whose popularity only increases internationally year after year, is poised to make a major splash in their homeland. As always, roots reggae’s primal rhythms and ideals of oneness form the basis of Groundation’s newest music. But this is a band whose songs often grow out of improvisations—which Stafford calls “the lifeblood of our music”—and that instinctively favors unpredictability over the rulebook. Accordingly, Here I Am is full of surprises and new directions. From the first few jazz-driven minutes of “Run the Plan,” the album’s opening track, it’s apparent that Here I Am will not conform neatly to any single genre. Incorporating cross rhythms and two simultaneously executed time signatures, all within an intricate three-part arrangement, Groundation—the other members are David “Diesel” Chachere (trumpet), Kelsey Howard (trombone), newest recruit Te Kanawa Haereiti (drums), Mingo Lewis Jr. (percussion), Kim Pommell (vocals) and Stephanie Wallace (vocals)— precedes their trademark one-drop reggae with a complexity not previously attempted in their music. Official Website

Trinity 7 (REGGAE)
Trinity 7 delivers authentic, roots reggae, led by singer Ras Meishak, hailing from the hills of Jamaica. Their original music carries on the message that reggae was founded on, a message of inspiration, consciousness, revolution, transformation, hope, unity and peace. With a steadfast belief that conscious music can produce positive change within society, the members of Trinity 7 come together from many different regions, cultures and backgrounds, united by a deep-rooted love for reggae music. Official Website

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