Groundation Juggernaut / Fa Ward

• Groundation – Juggernaut
• Groundation – Fa Ward

• 1. Juggernaut
• 2. Fa Ward

Leicester may not be known as a hotbed of Reggae but from 1977-1983 it was home to Groundation, an excellent band in the best tradition of UK roots reggae. Unfortunately, although they recorded several tracks, did a session for John Peel and appeared on television, they only released one record, a two track 12” single in 1981 on their own Shield Records label.

The two tracks “Juggernaut” and “Fa Ward” have gone on to be underground classics, highly prized and highly priced collector’s items with the band’s name and story becoming lost over time and only known by those old enough to remember their shows or lucky enough to have a precious original copy of that record.

“Juggernaut” is a heavy spiritual instrumental of the sort guaranteed to get sound system play and beloved of Jah Shaka fans. At just short of 8 minutes long, “Fa Ward” is an uplifting and inspiring vocal that leads into a heavy dub cut. This record is a double A sided release in the proper sense, two classic slices of the UK scene at its peak.