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BIOGRAPHY
Formed in 1998, GROUNDATION is among the world’s reggae legends. Their first two albums (YOUNG TREE and EACH ONE TEACH ONE) established a unique roots sound, distinctive to GROUNDATION. In 2002, the album HEBRON GATE was recorded, achieving immediate success and propelling the group to international fame, a masterpiece of their progressive and unique roots reggae.
In 2018, following the departure of some original members, the legendary Californian band regrouped around its leader, Harrison Stafford. He surrounded himself with top-tier musicians who, like him, hailed from the prestigious Sonoma State University. The resulting sound remains deeply faithful to the jazz-infused reggae that established Groundation’s reputation from its inception. This new generation of virtuosos infuses the music with their full measure of talent, creativity, and live energy. After more than two decades and ten studio albums, Groundation—a band that helped define American roots reggae—returns in 2025 with CANDLE BURNING, its 11th studio album. This new work perpetuates the band's legacy, maintaining an unwavering commitment to sophisticated musicality and impeccable sound quality, recorded entirely in analog. Harrison Stafford possesses the ability to craft intense tracks featuring complex yet captivating arrangements, blended with socially conscious, poetic, and deeply human lyrics. In keeping with their respect for music and dedication to analog recording, the band chose to record their new album at the world-renowned ICP Studio in Brussels. Equipped with state-of-the-art gear, the venue has hosted some of music’s biggest names since opening. Mixing duties were handled by the legendary Jim Fox (Lion and Fox Studios). This expert combination has resulted in an album of exceptional quality and vision. In 2026, the live album A LIGHT IN PARIS offers a chance to relive the band's mystical energy. Recorded at La Cigale in November 2025, the album captures the virtuosity of the musicians backing Harrison Stafford and showcases the magic of the band's live performances. Groundation elevates classics like "Babylon Rule Dem" and "Jah Jah Know" while presenting gems from their latest release,CANDLE BURNING. A true ode to life and the passing on of a legacy, this album showcases the stage power of the Californian reggae-jazz band.
