Groundation - "Here I Am"

I would have never guessed that anything so roots-reggae sounding could come from a group of nerdy-looking white guys with gnarly beards! Groundation is a (somewhat) local group from the San Jose area, if I'm not mistaken. Their music qualifies as what most would consider to simply be reggae, but it really throws in a bit of funky jazz fusion and dub into the mix too.

This album came out earlier this year and slipped under my radar, so I'm just listening to it now for the first time through. So far, I'd say it's not as good as their past album "Hebron Gate" - which is just one of many that they've released. I guess I lied when I said I would only review albums I liked....

It's not that I *dislike* this CD per se, but I think they have more potential than they show with this set of songs. I am particularly drawn to the instrumental interlude parts of songs that are loaded with some sick trumpet-solos. I think that this album could be better with some more changes in mood. Reggae isn't supposed to sound all the same. Common features, yes, but using beats that sound similar to eachother that you can't differentiate them is not a good thing.

There is one other thing that truly irks me about this album. Call me sexist, but apparently I really don't like women singing reggae. I'm not even sure who the woman singing on this CD is, but I just know I don't enjoy it at all. Even though she wasn't on every track, it still bothered me enough to knock the rating a little bit.

My vote: 2.5 stars
My favorite track: "By All Means" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz1wi6SK0P8