TRADITION A New Force in Reggae Music In 2004, a group was born into existence that would come to occupy the sonic space where groups like Aswad and Midnite dwell. Born of the frustrations and aspirations of long-time L.A. reggae stalwart Freddie Flint, Traditions soulful sound brings something fresh and new to the Caribbean creation known as REGGAE. Even though Tradition has only existed for two years, the extensive resumes of the groups members reach back to the early eighties, to the very foundations of L.A. reggae culture. Founder and lead vocalist Freddie Flint, whose solid guitar stylings are reminiscent of a Jamaican Carlos Santana, anchors the group. With vocal inflections similar to a new-age Horace Andy, Flints long-standing career with artists such as Eek-a-Mouse, Sugar Minott, John Holt, Dennis Brown, Ras Michael, and Barrington Levy, to name a few, give him a breadth and depth uncommon to many of his L.A. peers. He has recorded for said artists in Europe, Jamaica, and America, lending his trademark sound to each project. Freddie, who was inspired by the recordings of Johnny Nash, was born in Slou, England and came to America when he was three years old. Raised in Houston, Texas, by strict, church-going parents, Freddie is the product of his strident Jamaican father, and liberal, music-loving mother. Coming to Los Angeles in his teen years, and eventually delving into Rastafari, Freddies cultural foundation of Caribbean and Afro-American heritage make his contribution to the group both deep and enriching. Drummer and vocalist Kenyatta Poole hails from Washington D.C. or, as he calls it, Dark Country. Raised in North Carolina, Kenyatta also came to Los Angeles in his teens. Coming from a spiritual background that includes Rastafari, Christianity, as well as African belief systems, Kenyatta brings the urgency of soul music, a solid reggae background, as well as hip-hop stylings to the mix. Having started out in reggae with pioneer ska/reggae superstar Leroy Sibbles, Kenyatta went on to play drums with many reggae greats, from Super Cat and Sista Carol, to more than a few local acts such as Idren. With a long career in traditional West African music from Guineé, Kenyatta brings a solidly Caribbean, though unmistakably funky essence to the group. Rounding out the trio is Denfield Jones, known affectionately as Jonesey, on the bass. With a long and stellar career in reggae, punta-rock (Jonesey is of Belizean heritage), as well as soul music (Chi-lites), Joneseys rock-solid bass playing anchors the group. With the forward-reaching, soulful, yet fully reggae stylings of their debut album, simply titled Tradition, this new force on the reggae scene is sure to become what their name implies: a Tradition in reggae music.