Customer Reviews

We Free Again

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just got this album a couple of days ago and was wondering how good of an answer they'd have to Hebron Gate. This album is incredible at first listen. They stepped up the tempos overall, especially from earlier stuff off Young Tree, and the rest of the instrumentation runs with the intense drumming/percussion. The guest vocals are outstanding, they really shine on the title track "We Free Again" which is already a favorite tune. "Music Is The Most High" is another sick, sick tune. Harrison Stafford really knows how to worship the king of reggae while holding his own unique voice at the same time. Groundation still holds true to their own roots as well as the roots of reggae. This album reminds me of Survival, but with much better instrumentation. Buy Hebron Gate, then this album, and you'll have two legendary reggae albums in my opinion.

I had to edit this review from awhile back to make mention of two other albums by Groundation -- Upon The Bridge and Each One Teach One. I think both are better than this album which is why I'd change the 5 stars to 4 if possible. That being said this is still a very good album. That being said, you should just go ahead and buy every Groundation album. They won't disappoint.

I recently discovered Groundation and gambled on Hebron Gate, having only read reviews of their music. I am now a total fan. About a month after getting Hebron I ordered We Free Again. The first time I heard it, it leveled me. I cannot even think of what to compare it to. It is certainly roots, and has the great musicianship and vocals that I associate with the group. But this album seeks to take reggae to a new level.

You will not find too many sing alongs here. The music is driving with many twists and turns, rhythm and pace changes, and the vocals are more of a chant - a continuos dialogue rather than the traditional verse, verse, chorus, verse format.

Ever wondered what it would have been like if Hendrix jammed with Parliament, or Robert Johnson got to sit in with Led Zepplin? Well this made me think "What if Burning Spear did an album with Yes." Ok, it may not be that far out, but there are many Progressive Rock elements here. There are also some incredibly heavy lyrics and some of the best drumming moments I have ever heard on a reggae disk!

It's a truly wonderful recording, but if you are not familiar with Groundation, it is not the one I would get first. Start with an earlier more traditional album and once you have become hooked, order this one.

I am blown away by this band. On their last four albums, including this one, EVERY TRACK has been superb. All of their material still very, very rootsy. If having Don Carlos and The Congos on their last album (Hebron Gate) wasn't good enough, how about Mr. Carlos and Apple Gabriel (from Israel Vibration) on it. One very noticeable thing is that we get to hear more of the guest artists than we could have on Hebron Gate, which had only 9 tracks. We Free Again continues to prove that Groundation is one of the best roots reggae band to originate from the U.S., if not further. If you like this one, be sure to pick up Each One Teach One, Young Tree, and Hebron Gate.

I cannot express it enough how greatful I am for the beautiful sounds and enlightening words from the group of truly RIGHTEOUS individuals known as a whole by the name of Groundation. THIS IS POSITIVITY in musical form no doubt!
I picked up this album at their show in Santa Cruz a while back and once again I am completely in awe of how great these guys are. From start to finish, this album is a jaw dropper. True roots reggae combined with backing credentials of jazz and topped off with some greatly inspiring words of true wisdom, AW!! It just does not get any better!
On this album, something that stood out more to me than the three previous albums, is that you can really feel the jazz background of the group a bit more. Blended with Don Carlos AND Apple Gabriel, I just can't get enough of it!
The horn section is definetely on a higher level (not to leave out anyone else but a particular big ups to King David on the trumpet, especially on Dem Rise).
I highly reccomend and suggest that those of you seeking music with a serious feel and true words, should get this album as well as the other three if you don't have them already. Your soul will thank you.
Those of you on the West Coast or anywhere on this giant rock of Earth, see these guys live if you have the chance. Your feet and ears will thank you. Jah blessings to each and every one of you and all those you love, JAH LIVE MIGHTYFUL FOR I-VA!!!!
Respectfully yours, Jeff Jah Young Rebel Read

Windows of deep Groundation roots frequent this album, but are punctuated by occassionally dissonant, sometimes even frantic tracks that qualify We Free Again, as a whole, a deviation from Groundation's more roots-grounded past works. To the roots listener's experienced ear, this album ranges territory that affords an interesting and attention demanding listen. The pace varies widely between tracks, shifting from deep swinging roots to hihgly tense stepping. Musicianship throughout is typically excellent, and the recording boasts the usual warm, analog sound. Lead vocals will continue to please or displease according to taste, and back up vocals are smooth so smooth. A worthy purchase to be sure, but not entirely an album to chill to. Perhaps an accurate musical portrait of our times.

I am so glad I did not listen to the negative remarks I heard about the vocals. What a great album, great band, pure listening pleasure. Apple Gabriel's sweet backroud vocals set it off nicely, and just a touch of Don Carlos to make it extra sweet. Please, if you like roots music or reggae at all for that matter, please pick up one of Groundation's albums.

I liked this album, but i feel that it doesn't come close to Hebron's gate, their previous effort. I can't get beyond the background vocals, which draw the attention away from the solid grooves driving the song. They are a distraction and feel self-conscious to me. There's a reason they're called Background vocals.

Having said that, this is one solid band, and Hebron's Gate has been one of my favorites for the last couple of years. I love the jazz influences, and the feel to the songs, funky and profound at the same time. I was disappointed by this album, although there a re a couple of songs I listen to steadily, so the underpinnings are strong, but the window dressing distracts.

This album is really fantastic. Groundation has pushed the art of roots reggae in a new and exciting direction without losing the roots feel. This direction is not at all like the better known offshoot of roots reggae, Dancehall, which is so far removed from reggae by now that people should not even assosiate the two. Anyways, We Free Again is full of energy,dissonance and unique reggae sounds. It makes me feel like i'm in a jungle. Hebron Gate, their previous album, which i think is a little better only because every single song on there is great, while We Free Again has a few throwaway tracks. "Fourth dimension" is the only really bad one. Harrison stafford mus have been smoking crack when he wrote that. The reswt of the album, however, is excellent. "Praising", "The Seventh Seal", and the "culture wars" series are all incredible. Harrison Stafford, while apparently an occasional crackhead, has one of the coolest and expressive voices int he world and is about the most entertaining and passionate live singer i've ever seen besides jJames Brown, although is lyrics are extremely esoteric and sometimes i am reminded about Harrison's crack habit. Anyways, buy this album and all other Groundation albums. They are truly the best reggae band since Bob Marley and the Wailers and the most innovative as well. In this era of Dancehall that hurts my ears with its auwfulness, Groudnation is a real treasure. Harrison, i was just kidding about the crack. Much Respect.

I'm a little troubled by most of the reviews that I've seen for Groundation. It seems that all of these "real reggae fans" have overlooked the fact that this album is average at best. Bob, Steel Pulse, Midnite, Luciano, Don Carlos, we could go on forever, there is just too much GOOD reggae out there. Unfortunately "We Free Again" and everything else I've heard from Groundation just does not live up to the hype you'll see here in these reviews. Seriously, even John Brown's Body is better. Check out Midnite's RAS MEK PEACE if you want to hear some REAL reggae. I mean if you like Groundation, you'll wet your pants when you hear Midnite.
if you want "the real thing."