Way Ova Your Head w/Don Thomas & Ras Puma on the HOOK

Ras Puma "Natural Disaster" 
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Ras Puma "Natural Disaster"

FREE DOWNLOAD!! Ras Puma "Thanks and Praise" 

Ras Puma "Thanks and Praise"

The Archives began when Thievery Corporation’s Eric Hilton began a quest to explore the roots of reggae music. He asked keyboard ace Darryl “D-Trane” Burke to put together a cover band that would introduce club goers to the rock steady hits and obscurities of the pre-reggae era. When the group began writing original material, Burke contacted players he knew that could bring a progressive vibe to the music. “Everyone in the band has recorded and toured internationally with acts like Eek-A-Mouse, Culture, Gregory Isaacs and The Abyssinians,” Burke explains. “We weave together the best of foundation roots, rock steady, early dub and dancehall influences with arrangements that use funky throwbacks such as jazz flute, melodica and organ to create a classic, yet fresh and conscious sound.”
The band landed a two-year residency at the DC club Patty Boom Boom. Nightlong sets that often saw them playing 60 tunes or more allowed them to hone their sound and win an audience of dedicated fans. “It takes time to create new flavors,” Burke explains. “Playing weekly allowed us to simmer this stew and unify our sound. Now we’re comfortable in any situation and confident that we can step up and take it to the next level.”
The Archives feature vocalists Ras Puma, the charismatic singer on Thievery Corporation’s Culture of Fear, and Lenny Kurlou (S.T.O.R.M.). Mateo Monk (Sankofa Blackstar) plays guitar, flute and melodica; Burke (Moja Nya, Eek- A-Mouse, Gregory Isaacs) is on keyboards and drummer Leslie “Black Seed” James Jr. (Culture, Eek-A-Mouse) and bass player Justin “Relentless” Parrott (Claudius Linton) round out the lineup. The songs were composed collectively and all band members contributed to the arrangements.
With Eric Hilton behind the board and Thievery Corporation’s head engineer, Chris Stone, adding his magic to the mix, the band laid down 13 tracks full of smoking soul and sufferation. Burke’s funky clavinet and James’s one drop drumming introduce “Ghetto Gone Uptown.” Puma and Kurlou alternate lead vocals and add smooth harmonies to the chorus of this lover’s rock jam. The vibe is mellow, but the lyrics are a serious examination of the country’s economic woes. Legendary dance hall DJ, producer and Thievery Corporation vocalist Sleepy Wonder sings lead on “Music Is My Prayer,” an ode to the healing powers of music. His scat-infused vocal on this sweet, laid-back track owes a debt to the work of Black Uhuru’s Michael Rose.
Desi Hyson, singer and main songwriter of Al Anderson’s Original Wailers takes lead vocals on “Crime,” a melodic romp that calls for the legalization of ganja with a ska-like bounce in its rhythm. “More To Life” is a Black Uhuru style roots rocker with inventive drumming from James and a passionate vocal from Puma, calling for worldwide responsibility and compassion as an antidote for the planet’s anguish. Subtle dub effects set off Monk’s wicked guitar solo.
The band shows off its diversity on “Melodica Funk,” a rock steady instrumental that blends melodica, Monk’s Latin-flavored jazz flute and Burke’s Jackie Mittoo-style organ solos and “Why Can’t We Live Together,” a funky disco/reggae cover of the Timmy Thomas standard. They also shine on “Who’s Correct,” a bubbly rock steady groove featuring Parrott’s militant Augustus Pablo-style bass line and a serious message of religious tolerance and a dub heavy take on the Clash/Mikey Dread tune “One More Time.”
“Dali once said he learned to paint like the masters before embarking on his visionary quest,” Monk says. “We strive to play like the masters in our field, but we’re part of our generation. Modern sensibilities have developed since the golden era of reggae: better gear, more awareness of studio techniques, new approaches to improvisation, new paradigms for the concert experience and greater social consciousness. We are not a retro band. We’re a 21st century band with really deep roots and we want to contribute to reggae’s evolution. Same tree, new leaves.”

More To Life

Archives ft. Ras Puma from new debut album "Archives."  ESL Music Label. Produced by Eric Hilton (ESL Music & Thievery Corporation)
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Archives/Ras Puma "Who's Correct"

Sensibility

 A fundamental sense of oneness of all life can be reached through music but there has to be a base consistent in compassion and empathy.” 
   Born Christopher Smith in St. Thomas US Virgin Islands, and formerly known as Ras Puma, Puma Ptah remembers writing lyrics from as early as elementary school. His earliest musical memories and inspiration include watching an uncle playing upright bass and guitar in local Mento band, and listening to grandmother perform acoustic songs in front of church and before bedtime. He was encouraged to enter cultural competitions to which his uncle Mungo “Magnus” Niles would be honored for being a leader in preserving cultural folk heritage in the VI, and a musical entertainer who toured the US with his cultural dancers and steel band players being featured in several Hollywood movies in the 60’s. 
  In 2006 he moved to Virginia where he joined several Virginia based bands which eventually lead to joining the renowned DC based Thievery Corporation and being featured on their 2011 “Culture of Fear” album recording songs "Overstand" and "False Flag Dub". He continues touring with the group gaining more experience while gracing stages at Austin City Limits, Lallapalooza, Ultra Fest, Governer’s Ball, The Greek Theatre, Red Rocks and many more.
  In 2012 he was featured on the “The Archives” debut album produced by Eric Hilton of Thievery Corporation with tracks “Who’s Correct” “More to Life” “Sensibility” and more.
  Touring throughout countries like Europe, South America, the US and more, Puma developed a passion for photography which gave him another means of emphasizing his lyrics. This passion has lead him to work with non-profits, mentoring and teaching basic photography skills to elementary and high school youth. 
  In 2013 he moved back home temporarily in search for a change of pace from the city life, and for inspiration for future solo projects. In 2014 after an official 8 year journey and commitment, Puma decided to take the Ras off his artist title and move forward from the faith. At the end of the year he took a solo trip to India that convinced him to change his perspectives on humanity in general, identity, and music. In 2015 he added the title “Ptah” which generally represented craftsmanship and the creativity of artisans in Kemetic society, but originated with the ability to transform raw scattered thoughts and ideas, and manifest a dynamic use of organized words and thoughts. 
  Puma is currently recording tracks for the upcoming Thievery Corporation album while moving into the solo world teaming up with Honest Music to release his EP “In One Accord” starting with his single “One” being released on April 10, 2015. 

Puma Ptah

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