Bio
"This reggae-based group from the Northeast has proven their ingenuity on Rise Up, their second album. Using reggae's rhythms and mindset as a starting point, ROC proceeds to integrate the infectious hooks and songwriting of rock, the instrumental alchemy of jazz, and the pulse-pounding beats of hip-hop into their energetic sound."
-Bryan Rodgers, Homegrown Music Network.
"Mixing the laidback slacker cool of Sublime with the interpretive musicianship of bands like Phish and O.A.R."
- Ryan Bray, The Noise. Boston, MA
"Rock and reggae have always been odd bedfellows, then along comes Roots of Creation, a quartet from, of all places, Boston, that deftly if not delicately blurs Bob Marley, P.O.D., Rage Against the Machine and Phish influences"
- Michael Poke, seaoftranquility.org
Bolstered by a sense of it's own colorful history and urged onward by
the promise of a fruitful future, Roots of Creation approaches it's
4th year of full-time touring having evolved into a musical force of
nature. With a hard-working ethic and an arsenal of upbeat,
substantial songs, Roots of Creation have ascended to the top of their
profession by putting their fans first and doing business with focus
and respect. Writers, DJs, venue owners, and booking agents alike have
joined ROC's steadily growing army of fans in heaping praise upon the
New Hampshire quartet, and not just for the music - the band has
forged a unique connection with their listeners that provides concert
attendees with a highly personal experience. They also walk the walk
when it comes to social and environmental activism. Having raised
money for many causes.
The sound captured on their latest album, Live Vol. 1, is the result
of years of absorbing diverse influences into their bedrock of
"jam-meets-reggae." The latest style to work its way into the ROC
sound comes courtesy in part of new bassist Chris Beam, whose
background in electronic/trance music helped facilitate the band's
recent shift incorporating lengthier dance-driven explorations, which
are still spiked with ROC's own special dub/rock/reggae flavor. Beyond
the amazing music contained within, and in keeping with their history
of conscious efforts, the album's packaging is 70% post-consumer
product recycled cardboard.
There's no better representation of ROC's recently perfected, bigger,
badder sound than the fast-paced experience of Live Vol. 1, released
by Harmonized Records on June 24th. From addictive reggae pop songs to
consciously charged roots rhythms and berzerk electronic
improvisations, the grace and precision with which ROC execute their
bass-heavy works is overwhelming. Their roots are tinged with rock,
their rock brushed with electronica, and they're as likely to dash off
into a 10-minute guitar-led groove as they are to perform righteous
vocal songs that resonate like the roots-rock classics of old. From
the steamy opener "Oh Lord" to the extended jams on "Void" and
"Proggae," both favorites from their critically acclaimed Rise Up
album, there's an urgency and dedication to perfection unmatched by
other live releases.
Besides signing with Harmonized, Roots of Creation's most recent
praises came in the form of sponsorship from the well-known outdoor
sports company Eastern Mountain Sports, who obviously see a connection
between ROC's diverse, active fanbase and their products. In 2007,
Rise Up garnered the band a nomination for Best World Music Act at the
Boston Music Awards. On top of that, the band have recently found
themselves in high-class musical company as they shared stages and
audiences with artists such as chart-topping rapper Lupe Fiasco,
reggae legends like Culture, The Wailers, Israel Vibration, Pato
Banton, Toots, and Yellowman, plus well-known acts from all over the
musical map such as Matisyahu, Slightly Stoopid, Grace Potter and the
Nocturnals, and Melvin Sparks.
|