Cornerstone Roots

I personally really enjoy listening to this band often the music has a good vibe always bring a smile to me face
CORNERSTONE ROOTS.. Future Is Now.... Cornerstone Roots release new album 'Future Is Now' through Rhythm Method/MLR on October 18 ..Press Release 28 Sept 2010.. The enduring Cornerstone Roots are an original and essential band representing roots reggae music in New Zealand and abroad. 2007 saw the band release their second album “Free Yourself” with the single “Home” receiving NZ on Air Video grant and the next offering ‘Future is Now’ is set for nationwide release in New Zealand on October 18. .. Cornerstone Roots have always combined a strong lyrical approach to their music. They comment on important global issues and the development of personal self-awareness. Their approach to music is about being of value and connecting with people from all lifestyles. The fusion of Jamaican, New Zealand/Pacific Island and soul inspired musical influences has produced an original sounding band that is uniquely Cornerstone Roots... Since the last album the band has been through life changes with many trials and tribulations, ‘Future is Now’ explores life issues with personal insight and an overview of looking at the big picture from a small community perspective. .. The album has varied moods from the classic Cornerstone sound to more modern influenced tracks. An acoustic debut by 10-year-old Reiki Ruawai, the son of bass player Naomi Tuao and singer Brian Ruawai adds to the diversity of the album... “We spent four days at Revolver Studios recording the album on two inch tape”, says Brian Ruawai. “With myself, Naomi Tuao (bass guitar), Lei Ahotaha (Keyboards), Tafari Tavai (drums) and with Scott ‘Sonic’ Newth as engineer. We then took the tracks back to Raglan to record the vocals and extra parts with collaborations from Nicholas Stevens on keys, MC Mana on the track ‘Roots’, Conor Mc Cabe on vocals and current member Te Whainoa, Te Wiata on backing vocals and guitar”... “The album is a three year journey that is an interplay between personal and global issues. From financial and personal loss, to the decisions we make, whether they are right or wrong. ‘Future is now’, ‘Seeds’ and ‘Everybody’ illustrates these points”. A realisation that family and the importance of intergeneration with cultural identity are themes contained in ‘Roots’ and ‘New Generation’. The uplifting ‘Want you to Sing’ is an ode to keeping a positive frame of mind. A reworked version of ‘Rising Sun’ displays the band fondness for dub and digi inspired roots and ‘Bedlam’ is the final acoustic contribution, laced with a bittersweet short social commentary... On the eve of their third full-length album, the bands have recently returned from an eight-week European tour with an astonishing response from central European countries. “We are releasing the new album in Europe this year but for now we’re concentrating on NZ and getting the music out so that we can move on to the next album”. .. Future is Now is a personal journey of the life and times of an original reggae roots band from New Zealand. ..Selected album/tour dates throughout Oct/Nov/Dec. ..Aotearoa (NZ) Reggae. Cornerstone Roots.. The original sounding roots band from Raglan, New Zealand with music that is message orientated, bass driven, soul induced ... the quiet stalwarts of Kiwi reggae for the past nine years. They continue the path of many artists before touring the venue and festival circuit in between working on their craft. .... Formed in 2001 after a session at the infamous local Raglan Musicians Club, the original three-piece outfit singer/songwriter/guitarist Brian and drummer Turongo Dixon (both Maori) and bassist Naomi Tuao (Samoan/Scottish) formed the rhythm section of Cornerstone Roots. The music at that time was raw and riddim focused with a mix of contemporary styled ska/roots/soul and reggae. ..The band quickly developed a strong local following with many of the early shows being filmed and recorded by fans. This prompted the band to record their first EP One Fine Day in 2001 where they set about touring provincial NZ where the cafes were crammed and live shows intense. .... By the following year the Corners had released debut album Soul Revolution, described by some reviewers as brilliant and impressive. The album was recorded in Wellington with engineer Lee Prebble at Surgery where the rhythm tracks were recorded live in one weekend. The album release was backed up with 20 date tour of NZ ending at the Wellington Town Hall supporting powerhouse rhythm section Sly n Robbie. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ....2004 saw the band cross the Tasman eight times with the release of the Forward Movement EP which was nominated for best roots release in 2005. Veteran Studio One DJ Ranking Joe features over cuts off the EP. ....Cornerstone Roots have supported some heavyweight reggae acts including Burning Spear, Toots and the Maytals, Sly n Robbie with Michael Rose, Jimmy Cliff, Lee Scratch Perry and Mad Professor and The Wailers. They have also recorded tracks with Ranking Joe & Big Youth.... In 2007 the band released their long awaited 2nd album that featured a selection of old and new tracks. "Free Yourself" managed to find its way ino the Top 10 Independent releases and was in the top 20 Indie Album sales for 2007. The album is quietly working its way into the hearts and minds of people all over the world. The band have evolved many times since its humble beginnings but the unique sound has always been maintained with lyrical content for the masses.

Sizzla Kalonji

http://www.myspace.com/sizzlakalonji


When the name Sizzla Kalonji is mentioned in Reggae circles, it provokes an extreme response in all those present. Indeed, all who are not present but are familiar with Sizzla's prolific work nonetheless would be equally subject to that said extreme response if they should be present. That is the mark of a truly innovative individual whose name will undoubtedly stand the test of time due to the fact that the responses evoked by Sizzla's name and his music are of no consequence. The sole fact that the responses are extreme is the only issue at hand because that in itself signifies Sizzla's power to affect the reggae loving masses positively or negatively in a very potent way. Even those who are turned off by his message will have to admit that Sizzla is truly a gifted artist at the very least.  On the other hand, those who are positively inspired by his music will claim that he is the "King of Reggae."

 

Controversy

Kalonji was again the subject of controversy recently due to his refusal to bow to the demands of gay rights organizations worldwide, that he issue a formal apology for his anti-gay lyrics, as well as a pledge to cease from producing further anti-gay lyrics. This refusal has cost Kalonji literally millions of dollars in earnings due to hundreds of show cancellations in Europe and the U.S. Kalonji was also officially banned from England late last year. This was unbeknownst to him as when he arrived in England for a tour, he was refused entry at the airport by British Customs officials acting on orders from higher governmental powers.
Again this is another case of Kalonji holding firm to his principles especially in light of the fact that every other big name artiste who was subject to gay orchestrated economic retaliation issued formal apologies and signed agreements that stipulated that they would not sing any more anti-gay songs.
Sizzla has distinguished himself as a man of principle. As he says, "Mi nuh work fi career, vanity or money. The people mi work for." Kalonji's actions are a testament to his words. He lives by his words, even though he may be persecuted as a result. Conviction among artists in reggae is a quality that has been sorely missed, and it has become a throwback to the so-called "golden age" of reggae that occurred in the mid to late 70's.

JAH JUAN DRAGONTREE

Born in Michigan and raised in South California, Juan was introduced to music by his parent from birth. His mother traveled Japan as a vocalist, and his father played saxophone on the road for around13 years. At 15 Juan was out on his own and by 18 was beginning to find himself and realized that music and the overall process of creating art is his passion. With rap as his initial musical style, he always did stand firm on his choice to produce and play music carrying a conscious, positive message. As he grew as an artist he discovered Reggae as a way to spread the uplifting vibes.... Now in LA, he is finishing two albums to release in 2011. One of which is called "Earth Minded".

http://jahjuandragontree.bandcamp.com/album/earth-minded

Watusi

WATUSI is the original "World Beat / Reggae" band in the USA, with a musical mix of Roots Reggae,and dancehall, with riddims and flavas of Afrikan, Soca, Zouk, funk, Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban, Afrobeat, jazz, etc...a tribe of world musicians, veteran players coming from the Caribbean, U.S.A. and Africa, joining kulcha, life and music together in a true Rasta spirit of international unity, with a "One World, One Love" message and rhythm.
Watusi is based in Dallas, and a Texas musical legend for 27 years...the premier artist on World Beatnik Records,, respected worldwide , winners of numerous Reggae and World Music Awards including many Dallas Music Awards for Reggae and... nominated for the Roots Music Association "Reggae Artist of the Year" 2008
A seed from Jamaica's original Wailer, the great Peter Tosh, was planted in Dallas in 1976, raised in Jamaica in 1981, grooved in Nawlins in 82 and became Watusi in 1983 and has grown and spread this band and their unique Worldbeat sounds across the Americas, from the Caribbean to Hawaii, Afrika, and around the world!
Watusi is an original, charter member of Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide (R.A.W.) and one of the original pioneers of "worldbeat" music, 2010 celebrates 27 years of Watusi and the release of their last CD, "Cool Runner", on World Beatnik Records, has taken the band and their world music worldwide. The CD is the 5th release by Watusi and shows versatile musicianship and a true diversity of styles all mixed inna a "One Love" vibe.
"Cool Runner" cd has gained airplay worldwide in 106 countries so far, reaching new fans around the globe.
Great reviews and the international response has been always positive! After touring with the Bob Marley Festival Tour & other top Reggae and world music festivals, Watusi is now planning a special Spring Break tour thru the Caribbean and Central America promoting a new CD to an essential market, and...
With a One Love vibe...everytime!!!

Katchafire

Katchafire is a reggae band from Hamilton, New Zealand. They present an infusion of the roots reggae lineage with an undeniably Maori sound. They feature Logan Bell (Guitar, Vocals), Jamey Ferguson (Keyboards, Saxophone, Vocals), Haani Totorewa (Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals), Grenville Bell, (Lead Guitar) Ara Adams-Taratewa (Bass), Jordan Bell (Drums), and Leon Davey (Percussion, Harmonica, Vocals).
               http://www.katchafire.co.nz/