Groundation

Groundation is an "Original Roots Reggae" Band from California. It was established in 1998 by Harrison Stafford, Ryan Newman and Marcus Urani.

Groundation is bringing classic roots music into the serious times of the 21st century. Their sound is an organic fusion of Roots Reggae, heavy Funk/Jazz fusion, and transcendental Dub; their live shows are synonymous with high-energy positive communal vibrations, combining the message and determination of the best Reggae music has to offer with perpetually fresh Jazz-inspired improvisation.

The name "Groundation" came from trying to get everyone on the same level so people can talk and feel free to educate each other and learn from each other, and not come from a hierarchy or some type of leveled class situation. "Groundation" is a Jamaican patois word, meaning "a meeting for reasoning and 'overstanding'". This is probably also why they gave their 3rd album the name "Each One Teach One".

In addition, the band is the progenitor of Young Tree Records, a California-based Independant record label. Young Tree has put out works by the cream of the Roots Reggae crop, including The Congos, Pablo Moses, Andrew "Bassie" Campbell, Winston "Flames" Jarrett as well as the entirety of the expansive Groundation catalog, and their new side project called Rockamovya, featuring jazzy guitarrist Will Bernard, classical reggae drummer Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace and Ryan Newman (bass), Marcus Urani (organ/keys/piano) and Harrison Stafford (rhythm guitar/ vocals) from Groundation.

Lineup:
* Harrison Stafford – vocals, guitar
* Ryan Newman – bass
* Marcus Urani – keyboards
* David "Diesel" Chachere – trumpet
* Kelsey Howard – trombone
* Paul Spina – drums
* Mingo Lewis Jr – congas, timbales, percussion
* Kerry Ann Morgan – chorus
* Kim Pommell – chorus