The Black Seeds- 'Solid Ground'

Nowadays, New Zealand isn’t just the land of fierce Maoris and exotic landscapes for blockbuster fantasy flicks. It is home to one of the most infectious groove machines on the planet, and it shows on The Black Seeds’ North American debut, “Solid Ground.” (Easy Star Records)

The eight-man group, fronted by guitarist, songwriter and vocalist Barnaby Weir, creates what it calls New Zealand reggae, a unique musical hybrid that blends that distinct Jamaican syncopation with ska, ambient trance beats, ’70s funk, dub, hip-hop, and enough Afrobeat to make Fela smile up in Groove Heaven.

Songs unravel at their own dancing pace as they reveal hidden melodies, chants, and rhythms. Blaring Afrobeat horns, slippery bass lines and distinct reggae guitar riffs are sandwiched between layers of electronic keyboards, atmospheric effects and unrelenting percussion. It’s a groove soundtrack for the ages, so let these Wellington-based Kiwis plant the seeds of one-love rhythm in your brain.

– Eric Feber, The Pilot