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Soul Majestic was formed in the late 1990's by lead singer and songwriter Eric Iverson (a.k.a. Eric-I) and guitarist David Lyons. Soon after moving to Santa Cruz from their native Santa Barbara, they joined forces with singer Oriana Sanders and percussionist Brian Jarvis. As contributors to the thriving evolution of reggae influenced music by California natives, Soul Majestic has been welcomed by the most respected in the business. They recording their second album at the legendary Tuff Gong Studio with some of the best artists Jamaica has to offer. Soul Majestic also continues touring nationally with world-renowned reggae greats and performing at some of the largest attended festivals in the US including Reggae on the River, Ragga Muffins, Earthdance, and Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, just to name a few. The band has gained further recognition for using the fitting platform of reggae influenced music to promote ecological and humanitarian causes.
Soul Majestic's modern take on this time-honored genre fuses Caribbean style reggae
rhythms with an array of other influences including rock, hip hop, soul/R&B, world, jazz, and
folk. The universal messages of their music incorporate such topics as the protection of
our environment, political, social and economic concerns, family, life and love. Over the years
Soul Majestic's sound has been cultivated and shaped by a cast of quality and influential roots musicians. Soul Majestic's also includes band members Jayme Arredondo on drums, Thomas "Toads" Marcelino on bass, Seth Theodore on keys, and stand -in live horns. The band's dynamic musicianship, crowd-hyping dub breaks, occasional accoustic ballads, and fresh lyrics delivered via alternating male/female lead vocals from Eric-I and Oriana, set the stage for a guaranteed uplifting experience.
In 2004 Soul Majestic released their second album, Until That Day, recorded at Bob Marley's
Tuff Gong studio in Kingston, Jamaica. Soul Majestic has collaborated with big hitters Sly & Robbie on "Elder Voice", and conscious dancehall artist Anthony B. on "Stand Up" (which later instigated a nationwide, fifty-city tour, with Soul Majestic and Anthony B.). Soul Majestic's second studio effort had critics, and music fans alike taking notice. Infused with distinct Jamaican flavorings that could only come from the authentic talents of the all-star crew of musicians, Until that Day has launched them onto radio playlists nationally and as far off as Guam, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.
The band is currently in the studio completing their third album entitled Better World, with a preceding 6 song EP released in February 2008. With plans to tour extensively in support of the album, the band's vision of raising social awareness (in energetic live performances) of how our actions impact one another and the planet we live on. The band has recently played several benefit shows in support of organizations promoting peace, environmental education, and the medicinal use of marijuana. They recently also purchased a 15 passenger van for touring which will be run on Bio-Diesel whenever available. Also look out for the band on their upcoming Eco Grove tour: a collaboration between Soul Majestic and other eco-conscious businesses to promote sustainable lifestyle choices within the surf, skate, and snowboard communities.