Here I Am, released August 18, 2009, is the sixth full-length studio release from California-based international fusion-music pioneers Groundation. Look for the band on an all-too-rare U.S. tour this fall.
Here I Am was recorded last year following a period of extensive touring that took Groundation not only to locales as far-flung as Israel, Morocco, Europe and South America but, for the first time, east of the Rockies within their own country. Now, finally, the band that has long been considered a sensation in so many other countries, an American torchbearer of this vital form of music—reggae—whose popularity only increases internationally year after year, is poised to make a major splash in their homeland.
Look for Groundation on tour this fall in support of Here I Am. The current list of Groundation U.S. tour dates is as follows:
August 29th Outside Lands Festival San Francisco, CA
September 2nd Flamingo Cantina Austin, TX
September 4th One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA
September 5th Lafayette Reggae & Cultural Festival Carencro, LA
September 8th The Plaza Theatre Orlando, FL
September 9th Pulp Live Ft. Lauderdale, FL
September 10th Jackrabbits Jacksonville, FL
September 11th Pour House Charleston, SC
September 12th New Earth Music Hall Athens, GA
September 13th The Grey Eagles Asheville, NC
September 16th Jewish Mother Virginia Beach, VA
September 17th State Theatre Falls Church, VA
September 18th BB King’s Blues Club & Grill New York, NY
September 19th Harper’s Ferry Allston, MA
September 20th Higher Ground Burlington, VT
September 26th Kinetic Playground Chicago, IL
September 27th Miramar Theatre Milwaukee, WI
September 28th The Cabooze Minneapolis, MN
October 1st Boulder Theatre Boulder, CO
October 2nd Aggie Theatre Fort Collins, CO
October 3rd Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom Denver, CO
October 4th KTAO Solar Center Taos, NM
October 6th The Green Room Flagstaff, AZ
October 7th Brixton Redondo Beach, CA
October 8th Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
October 9th Key Club West Hollywood, CA
October 10th Downtown Brewing Company San Luis Obispo, CA
Here I Am picks up where previous Groundation albums have left off, in a collective and linear story that seeks to interpret these truly historic times that we are living in. On full display is Groundation’s signature style of crystallizing the ongoing worldwide struggle for consciousness into an amalgam of drum and bass heavy Roots Reggae, the swirling horns and organ of Jazz/Funk fusion and the masterful production of truly transcendental Dub. Among the many voices this album features are Groundation singers Kim Pommell and Stephanie Wallace, Reggae legends The Congos and Pablo Moses and, of course, enigmatic Groundation frontman Harrison Stafford. Here I Am is just what it sounds like: a declaration of presence and a commitment to action.
