One of the many stories accompanying this album is a reminder that the rhythm of the Rastafarians should be a representation of the heartbeat. In the first minute and a half of the opening track “Bongo Man” this heart almost stands still, only a soft beating on the bongos can be heard under the gentle brass massif, then Count Ossie brings the traditional into a track with his beat, only to later being transported to another sphere by the saxophone figures of Cedric “Im” Brooks.
“Bongo Man” is the beautiful yet irritating fanfare that opens GROUNATION, a spiritual-musical come-together by the bands of Count Ossie and Cedric “Im” Brooks that seeks comparisons in the history of reggae. Beats, brass, bass, a flute – in this spartan room, the musicians tell of the history of Jamaica and the return to African roots against the background of slavery. But it is also a space in which short movements in the direction of free jazz in the sense of Sun Ra are possible, so GROUNATION repeatedly step outside of the fundamentalist framework they have set themselves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDuwT-CbMR8
The 16 songs and beat tales were released in 1973 on a triple album now reissued by London label Soul Jazz (a limited edition including a bonus single and a reproduction of an art print). Today, GROUNATION allows associations that go far beyond the historical circle of origin: in its wind-intensive moments, this music combines with the second-line formations from New Orleans, with the melancholy of the wedding band run by the Acher brothers or the Japanese brass ensembles, presented by Markus Acher on the compilation ALIEN PARADE JAPAN. Sun Ra’s jazz universe, Kingston, New Orleans and Weilheim – if you listen, you will be able to discover a trail through space and time.
SIMILAR REVIEWS
Dagobert :: Bonn Park
The chansonnier discovers the complexity of love and moves in the direction of a singer/songwriter.
New! :: 50!
Experiment + Groove ≠ Krautrock: A box set is reminiscent of one of the most influential German bands of the 1970s.
Makaya McCraven :: In These Times
The jazz drummer with a personal, string-intensive reimagining.
SIMILAR ARTICLES
Sean Paul in video interview: “I want to make an album with Damian Marley!”
Sean Paul in a video interview about the new album SCORCHA and the secret of its success. We could also expect a new musical project with Damian Marley soon.
Official song for the 2022 World Cup: summery feel-good vibes
In the music video for “Hayya Hayya”, the artists dance through the Qatari desert. The song is part of an entire soundtrack for the 2022 World Cup.
Album of the week: Florence + the Machine, Kat Frankie and Perel
This week we’re reviewing the new records from three amazing artists: Florence + the Machine, Kat Frankie and Perel.
<!–
–>
<!–
–>