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 were concentrating on NZ and getting the music out so that we can move on to the next album.