Building an Ark

Founded in 1998, Northern California's Groundation crew has a lengthy and impressive track record, captivating listeners with its classic-minded roots reggae sound, positive lyricism, and stellar musicianship. Building an Ark is its 10th full-length (including 2008's O.G. spinoff project Rockamovya), and it finds the nine-piece group sounding great as always. Frontman Harrison Stafford's Marley-esque vocals take center stage, though the supremely funky instrumentation (trumpet, trombone, B3 organ, guitar, bass, drums, and percussion) is equally impressive throughout. Relatively short at just 10 songs, it remains an instantly likeable listen, clearly influenced by past legends but also pushing the music in new directions. Standouts include the trippy "Payaka Way," the playful jam "Merry-Go-Round," and the woozy 'bone-infused "Daniel." Already a longtime favorite in the international reggae scene as it tours around the world, Groundation has everything it takes to make even casual fans take notice.