Cornerstone Roots
Cornerstone Roots are a successful contemporary New Zealand reggae band from Raglan/Whaingaroa in the Waikato.
Formed in 2001 after a session at the infamous local Raglan Musicians Club, the original three-piece outfit singer/songwriter/guitarist Brian Ruawai and bassist Naomi Tuao (Samoan/Scottish) formed the rhythm section of Cornerstone Roots. The music at that time was raw and riddim focused with a mix of contemporary styled ska/roots/soul and reggae. The band quickly developed a strong local following with many of the early shows being filmed and recorded by fans. This prompted the band to record their first Extended play One Fine Day [1] in 2001 where they set about touring provincial New Zealand where the cafes were crammed and live shows intense.
By the following year the Corners had released debut album Soul Revolution, described by some reviewers as brilliant and impressive . The album was recorded in Wellington with engineer Lee Prebble at Surgery where the rhythm tracks were recorded live in one weekend. The album release was backed up with 20 date tour of NZ ending at the Wellington Town Hall supporting powerhouse rhythm section Sly and Robbie.
2004 saw the band cross the Tasman eight times with the release of the Forward Movement EP which was nominated for Best Roots Release in 2005. Veteran Studio One DJ Ranking Joe features over cuts off the EP and remix tracks are to be released at a later date.
2014 the band played Glastonbury[2] and Sziget [3] Festivals
Cornerstone Roots have supported some heavyweight reggae acts including Burning Spear, Toots & the Maytals, Sly and Robbie with Michael Rose, Jimmy Cliff, Lee "Scratch" Perry and Mad Professor. They have also recorded tracks with Ranking Joe & Big Youth.
Discography
One Fine Day EP - released 2002
Soul Revolution LP - released 2003
Forward Movement EP - released 2004
Free Yourself LP- released 2007
Future Is Now LP - released 2011
Journey - Single - released 2012
Is it Real - Single - released 2013
Free Man EP - released 2015
Summer Haze EP - released 2016
Compilations
Conscious Roots 1 Miracles and Light
Conscious Roots 2
Conscious Roots 3 Calling
Dub Conspiracy
Kaikoura Roots CD
Weekend Session 2
References
- ↑ Missi0n141 (2012-02-27), Cornerstone Roots - One fine day, retrieved 2016-12-03
- ↑ "Glastonbury".
- ↑ "Sziget 2014".
External links
- MySpace
- Radio New Zealand interview