Groundation ADD

Review

Album Review: Groundation - Candle Burning

05/23/2025

by Gardy Stein

Listening to a new Groundation album is an exciting affair, a bit like going to the cinema to watch a new Quentin Tarantino movie. You know the quality will be amazing, you know the plot will be gripping, but what exactly happens in the scenes or which actors appear – that’s a big surprise.

It is thus with tingling anticipation that we press play on Candle Burning, the 11^th studio album of the California-based music formation. “Candle Burning is about the light that guides us, the inner fire that fuels our journey and the energy that connects all things.” explains founder and lead singer Harrison Stafford in the press release, and both the cover artwork and all nine tracks included directly relate to these high-vibration topics.

Appropriately starting with Energy, we find ourselves right in the middle of a musical power source. From the pulsating rhythm of bass, drums and organ to the wild piano solo, from the brass highlights to the harmoniously interlacing voices of the singers, here is a perfect introduction to the journey ahead. The subsequent title track takes a step back tempo-wise, but continues the whirring instrumental frequency. It tells us to “catch a fire”, keep the Candle Burning and “pass it around”, and special mention deserve the fantastic brass section and that guitar solo. Rampapapam!

The fire thus lit is passed on to the “children of the spark” in Keeper Of The Flame, another fast-paced piece that impresses with its poly-rhythmic appeal and excellent drum- and key-work. Speaking of interesting rhythms: Hypnotized is a fine example of the sophisticated compositions Groundation has become known for, this unique way of marrying reggae and jazz, off-beat and three-four time. Brilliant!

In more traditional one-drop waters, The Youth introduces the first set of the album’s top-level features: Mykal Rose and Alpha Blondy are heard in unison with Harrison, expressing their hope that a well-educated young generation will carry on the torch lit by the bright minds of the elders. Superb: the creative ending!

Introducing us to the voice and the Chimurenga musical style of Thomas Mapfumo, Holding On adds another intriguing facet to this oeuvre. The “Lion of Zimbabwe” was forced into exile in 2005 for openly criticizing president Robert Mugabe in his lyrics and has lived in the US ever since, enabling collaborations such as this one.

Known for his intelligent contributions, Jamaican dub-poet Mutabaruka appears on the slow-paced The Light, illuminating us about the physical and spiritual properties of this element. With the beautiful Trust Yourself and the pensive Anew, the album finds a worthy close, again bringing to the fore these amazing musicians’ craftmanship.

A word on the creators of this magic: the album was recorded at ICP Studios in Brussels on analog equipment (mixed and mastered by Jim Fox), a fact that explains the warm, organic sound. Next to Harrison Stafford on vocals, guitar and percussion, we hear Isaiah Palmer on bass and vocals, Zachary L. Morillo on drums, Eduardo Gross on guitar, Pau Dangla Valls on several key instruments,  Roger Cox on saxophone, Jeff Cressman on trombone, Darren Johnston on trumpet, Israel Arcanjo on percussions as well as Thamar Williams and Kerri-Ann Lewis on vocals. What a crew, what a vibe, what an audiomatic experience - glorious bass, stars!

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