REVIEW: Cornerstone Roots

CORNERSTONE ROOTS
SAN FRANCISCO BATHHOUSE
FRIDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
Words by Lucy Wyatt

The vibe was right and the crowd were perfectly warmed up by The Midnights’ reggae fusion - enjoying the tight ska and jazzy shake up. Clearly another great night was in store for the San Francisco Bathhouse. Cornerstone Roots took to the stage with great presence, ready to educate the crowd with the delights from their new album Free Yourself. With the addition of 2 soulful backing singers, the masters of reggae roots were emulating a friendly and positive buzz. The dance floor wasn’t packed out, allowing those there to express themselves without restriction. Like the new album the audience could really free themselves - always nice with such mellow and skanking music.

Each song projecting messages on a political, environmental and spiritual tip - the fresh songs were met with approval and respect. Tracks such as Forward Movement, have an uplifting vibe with funky keys, keeping the crowd happy. Home offers an upbeat ska vibe, enticing the crowd to bounce along. Steppers’ atmospheric, dubby instrumental jamming, got plenty of heads nodding along to the immersed bass and echoing effect. The old favourites from the widely embraced album Soul Revolution, went down a treat. Soundsplash was met with sunny smiles, encouraging it’s dub undercurrent. The catchy lyrics in Lovers got everyone moving – mashing up the dance floor, horns blazing.

Such honest music produces a really honest crowd. No frills, no pretence - just there to groove with a smile fixed on your face. With a bluesy air, this is really a sophisticated fusion of reggae roots, bound together by their charismatic front man Brian McMillan. The depth and warmth of Cornerstone Roots’ second album demonstrates that they are seriously here to stay - a solid, grounding band. Spreading their sound globally, already being recognised in Australia, Japan, USA and Brazil, with this amount of spirit it’s going to be a positive journey ahead. Here’s to Cornerstone Roots’ getting the worldwide respect they deserve.

REVIEW: The Midnights

THE MIDNIGHTS
BAR BODEGA
FRIDAY 18 MAY
By Lucy Wyatt

Fresh, young and seriously reggae The Midnights hit the stage at Bar Bodega on Friday night supporting the groovers that are Dubdoubt. A 100% New Zealand band based in Auckland, The Midnights feature members Leo Horgan (guitar and vocals), Joe Keating (bass), Chris Varnham (organ), and Berin Hunter aka B-Dog (drums). These boys are putting the raw roots back into reggae with their mellow Kiwi tip and their tightly fused live performance. The rather quiet crowd at Bodega got warmed up quickly as The Midnights pushed the levels up with their freestyle, improvised jamming.

Revving up the mood a little with a reggae fusion, incorporating twists of ska, R&B, experimental jazz and soul. Leo’s voice has a surprisingly mature and experienced edge, combined with his wide and radiant smile; he has all the ingredients of a charismatic front man. The Midnights already have an established following due to their strong array of gigs performed in the last year. Supporting the cream of New Zealand’s crop and reinforcing their status with a music video for the track Sweet Togetherness that got aired on all the main music channels, The Midnights are truly going places. Outside Looking In saw a familiar response from the crowd, perhaps recognized from the album Conscious Roots 3.

True Progress has a very catchy rift and some true ragga MC’ing producing a very solid, rounded reggae track that would not be out of its depth playing at international festivals. A collection of goodies behind them, including their limited edition ep Hot Country, The Midnights are not shy to push their ripened sound forward where they are destined to be. Projecting such a relaxed style and what seems like an effortless tightness, this is what you expect to hear and feel from a unique soulful reggae act. Keep an eye on The Midnights as they certainly won’t be crashing early.