Groundation - Candle Burning (Young Tree Records/Baco Records)

The band’s signature formula - reggae infused with rich jazz influences - remains intact, but this time around, Stafford shares the spotlight more freely than before. Backing vocalists Kerri-Ann Lewis and Thamar Williams step forward to take lead vocals on occasion, and even bassist Isaiah Palmer gets a turn at the mic.

As always, Groundation has assembled an impressive list of collaborators. On ‘The Youth’, we hear the unmistakable voices of reggae icons Michael Rose and Alpha Blondy, while dub poet Mutabaruka lends his spoken-word fire to ‘The Light’. But perhaps the most unexpected cameo is Zimbabwean legend Thomas Mapfumo, who joins forces with the band on the track ‘Holding On’.

In the intro of the track, we hear the distinctive sounds of a Brazilian berimbau and atabaque drum - traditional instruments from the capoeira, maculelê, and santería traditions - performed here by Brazilian percussionist Israel Arcanjo. But just as easily, it could have been a Zimbabwean chipendani and ngoma. Over a rhythm that leans toward Brazilian guitarrada or carimbó, thanks to Pau Dangla Valls’ melodica playing, we soon hear Thomas Mapfumo singing in Shona:

Batai, batai nesimba (Hold on, with fire in your heart)
Batai, batai nesimba (Hold on, with fire in your heart)

Moto unopfuta (A fire is smoldering)
Mumwoyo Mako (In your heart)

Ndinorangarira (And I remember)
Hupenyu hwangu! (Who I have been)

Runako! Runako! (So much beauty)
Runako! Runako! (So much beauty)

Tariro ichiripo (Hope is still alive)
Simba richiripo (Strength is not yet broken)
Handifi, handifi (I won’t give up, I’ll never give up)
Handifi ndakakanganwa (I will never forget)
Moto wanatanga mu Africa (The fire that burns in Africa)
Unotanga mu Africa (It began here in Africa)

The thematic thread running through ‘Candle Burning’ is one of light and energy. It starts, fittingly, with the striking cover art by American book cover designer Brandi Doane McCann. More than just a visual statement, the artwork carries a deeper philosophy: “The deep black represents us, the individual. The bands of colour symbolize life, the fleeting horizon of our brief timeline. The brilliant sunburst of gold to purple is the infinite light source, hope, and eternal energy that guides us. And like paper, delicate and fragile, this life of ours is something to honour and protect.”

Track titles like ‘Energy’, ‘The Light’, ‘Candle Burning’ and ‘Keeper Of The Flame’ speak clearly to that overarching concept. And the lyrics only reinforce it, with lines such as: “Don’t run away and your future will be bright. Have confidence, out of the darkness must come out the light!” (‘Energy’), and “In the mists of the darkness, celebrate the light!” (‘Keeper Of The Flame’).

But the track that resonates most vividly is ‘The Light’, where dub poet Mutabaruka delivers his signature brand of spoken-word prophecy:

All manners of existence among the four corners of the world
Have reflected the one principle teaching
That there is a light, a source, an energy
And this energy that is swirling, and circling, and surrounding us
It lasts forever, indeed it has no end
But for the physical, the individual, life is something quite different
Our energy burns bright until we reach our true potential
Or perhaps we fail
But with time we come into great reflection
What purpose do we serve and what is the right direction?

As Harrison Stafford himself puts it: “‘Candle Burning’ is about the light that guides us, the inner fire that fuels our journey, and the energy that connects all things.”

Groundation will present ‘Candle Burning’ live at Couleur Café and take the stage at De Casino in Sint-Niklaas on October 19!