Cornerstone Roots Journey is available online from 14th November.
Download at amplifier, digirama, iTunes, Bandit NZ, Vodafone, Telecom,
Marbecks Digital and FlyBuys Music.
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Completing the final stages of the new "Rock My Soul" EP 2011
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Cornerstone Roots release new album 'Future Is Now' through Rhythm Method/MLR on October 18
Press Release 29 Sept
The enduring Cornerstone Roots are an original and essential band representing roots reggae music in New Zealand and abroad. 2007 saw the band release their second album “Free Yourself” with the single “Home” receiving NZ on Air Video grant and the next offering ‘Future is Now’ is set for nationwide release in New Zealand on October 18.
Cornerstone Roots have always combined a strong lyrical approach to their music. They comment on important global issues and the development of personal self-awareness. Their approach to music is about being of value and connecting with people from all lifestyles. The fusion of Jamaican, New Zealand/Pacific Island and soul inspired musical influences has produced an original sounding band that is uniquely Cornerstone Roots.
Since the last album the band has been through life changes with many trials and tribulations, ‘Future is Now’ explores life issues with personal insight and an overview of looking at the big picture from a small community perspective.
The album has varied moods from the classic Cornerstone sound to more modern influenced tracks. An acoustic debut by 10-year-old Reiki Ruawai, the son of bass player Naomi Tuao and singer Brian Ruawai adds to the diversity of the album.
“We spent four days at Revolver Studios recording the album on two inch tape”, says Brian Ruawai. “With myself, Naomi Tuao (bass guitar), Lei Ahotaha (Keyboards), Tafari Tavai (drums) and with Scott ‘Sonic’ Newth as engineer. We then took the tracks back to Raglan to record the vocals and extra parts with collaborations from Nicholas Stevens on keys, MC Mana on the track ‘Roots’, Conor Mc Cabe on vocals and current member Te Whainoa, Te Wiata on backing vocals and guitar”.
“The album is a three year journey that is an interplay between personal and global issues. From financial and personal loss, to the decisions we make, whether they are right or wrong. ‘Future is now’, ‘Seeds’ and ‘Everybody’ illustrates these points”. A realisation that family and the importance of intergeneration with cultural identity are themes contained in ‘Roots’ and ‘New Generation’. The uplifting ‘Want you to Sing’ is an ode to keeping a positive frame of mind. A reworked version of ‘Rising Sun’ displays the band fondness for dub and digi inspired roots and ‘Bedlam’ is the final acoustic contribution, laced with a bittersweet short social commentary.
On the eve of their third full-length album, the bands have recently returned from an eight-week European tour with an astonishing response from central European countries. “We are releasing the new album in Europe this year but for now we’re concentrating on NZ and getting the music out so that we can move on to the next album”.
Future is Now is a personal journey of the life and times of an original reggae roots band from New Zealand. Selected album/tour dates throughout Oct/Nov/Dec.
NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES
Sep 30 Schnapps Bar, National Park
Oct 8 Colosseum + Tigerhour, Tauranga
Oct 9 Leigh Sawmill, Leigh
Oct 15 La De Dub with 1814 & Paepae Soundsystem, Wellington
Oct 22 Mangawhai Tavern + Localise, Mangawhai
Oct 23 Icons, New Plymouth
Nov 4 Al’s Bar, Christchurch
Nov 5 Sammy’s, Dunedin
Nov 6 No.8 Wired Bar, Timaru
Nov 13 Raglan Town Hall, Raglan
Dec 17 420, Auckland
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Cornerstone Roots / Blog
New Single "Journey" Nov 14
Cornerstone Roots Journey is available online from 14th November. Download at amplifier, digirama, iTunes, Bandit NZ, Vodafone, Telecom, Marbecks Digital and FlyBuys Music.
Reply
Rock my Soul EP
Completing the final stages of the new "Rock My Soul" EP 2011
Reply
Cornerstone Roots release album 'Future is Now' Oct 18
Cornerstone Roots release new album 'Future Is Now' through Rhythm Method/MLR on October 18 Press Release 29 Sept The enduring Cornerstone Roots are an original and essential band representing roots reggae music in New Zealand and abroad. 2007 saw the band release their second album “Free Yourself” with the single “Home” receiving NZ on Air Video grant and the next offering ‘Future is Now’ is set for nationwide release in New Zealand on October 18. Cornerstone Roots have always combined a strong lyrical approach to their music. They comment on important global issues and the development of personal self-awareness. Their approach to music is about being of value and connecting with people from all lifestyles. The fusion of Jamaican, New Zealand/Pacific Island and soul inspired musical influences has produced an original sounding band that is uniquely Cornerstone Roots. Since the last album the band has been through life changes with many trials and tribulations, ‘Future is Now’ explores life issues with personal insight and an overview of looking at the big picture from a small community perspective. The album has varied moods from the classic Cornerstone sound to more modern influenced tracks. An acoustic debut by 10-year-old Reiki Ruawai, the son of bass player Naomi Tuao and singer Brian Ruawai adds to the diversity of the album. “We spent four days at Revolver Studios recording the album on two inch tape”, says Brian Ruawai. “With myself, Naomi Tuao (bass guitar), Lei Ahotaha (Keyboards), Tafari Tavai (drums) and with Scott ‘Sonic’ Newth as engineer. We then took the tracks back to Raglan to record the vocals and extra parts with collaborations from Nicholas Stevens on keys, MC Mana on the track ‘Roots’, Conor Mc Cabe on vocals and current member Te Whainoa, Te Wiata on backing vocals and guitar”. “The album is a three year journey that is an interplay between personal and global issues. From financial and personal loss, to the decisions we make, whether they are right or wrong. ‘Future is now’, ‘Seeds’ and ‘Everybody’ illustrates these points”. A realisation that family and the importance of intergeneration with cultural identity are themes contained in ‘Roots’ and ‘New Generation’. The uplifting ‘Want you to Sing’ is an ode to keeping a positive frame of mind. A reworked version of ‘Rising Sun’ displays the band fondness for dub and digi inspired roots and ‘Bedlam’ is the final acoustic contribution, laced with a bittersweet short social commentary. On the eve of their third full-length album, the bands have recently returned from an eight-week European tour with an astonishing response from central European countries. “We are releasing the new album in Europe this year but for now we’re concentrating on NZ and getting the music out so that we can move on to the next album”. Future is Now is a personal journey of the life and times of an original reggae roots band from New Zealand. Selected album/tour dates throughout Oct/Nov/Dec. NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES Sep 30 Schnapps Bar, National Park Oct 8 Colosseum + Tigerhour, Tauranga Oct 9 Leigh Sawmill, Leigh Oct 15 La De Dub with 1814 & Paepae Soundsystem, Wellington Oct 22 Mangawhai Tavern + Localise, Mangawhai Oct 23 Icons, New Plymouth Nov 4 Al’s Bar, Christchurch Nov 5 Sammy’s, Dunedin Nov 6 No.8 Wired Bar, Timaru Nov 13 Raglan Town Hall, Raglan Dec 17 420, Auckland
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