Native Elements

A San Francisco-based reggae band that's ready to represent. The members played with countless bands before Native Elements, and are adept at rock, jazz, blues, R&B, and hip-hop. Under the stewardship of the Twinkle Brothers: Ralston and Norman Grant, their full-length CD Nice n' Up, released in 1996, is competitive and features a heavy dub sound to complement the unforgettable rhythms. Active for seven plus years, Native Elements players are Chris Cortez (drums-vocals), Jose Pangan (lead vocals), Jaime Duran (bass), Pete Hadden (keyboards), Joel Atanacio (guitars), Karen Smith (lead & backup vocals), Tamara Haynes (lead & backup vocals), Rick Campbell (percussion), Ben Thompson (saxophone), and Mike Bryant (vocals). Karen and Tamara no longer perform live but still supply their beautiful voices for recordings. Other releases include, a maxi-single "Sensi All Day" (1998), and their latest CD 2000 Years. One of California's most honest and authentic reggae bands, they've opened for Pato Banton, Eek A Mouse, Toots & the Maytals, Black Uhuru, Lucky Dube, Yellowman, and Bunny Wailer. ~ Andrew Hamilton