July 2000 -FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gondwana
"Second Coming"
RAS-3260
Look for the US release of "Second Coming" July 25, 2000
From
the ghettos of Santiago, the ultimate aggregate of singers and musicians
has assembled their second album,
an album to announce the arrival of reggae music’s rebirth for the 21st
century.
Gondwana:
1. The supercontinent of 160 million years ago. Gondwanaland linked
South America to Antartica to Australia to New Zealand. 2. Reggae
Español group extaordanaire.
Second Coming: 1. The second wave of reggae music. All nations and the people inhabiting them are joined as one by the power of reggae music regardless of socially, racially or politically imposed borders. 2. The new album from Gondwana.
The members of Gondwana grew up in an environment of global isolation and political oppression. In an attempt to see a world beyond the walls of Chile, they sought enlightenment by listening to the words and music of Bob Marley and any other roots reggae they were able to get a hold of. Diligent musicianship and a living faith in Rastafari have backed Gondwana’s emerging career as their country began to taste freedom. Now, Gondwana is at the forefront of one of the strongest social phenomena to hit Chile in decades. The movement of reggae music.
Proud yet humble, strong but sweet, Gondwana impresses audiences with their resonant, energetic and 100% positive vibrations. Their voice echoes that of their Chilean brethren who, for years, longed to cry songs of freedom under the rule of Pinochet. The hope of a country transformed and a world united is expressed by this 8-piece band, featuring a full horn section, charismatic frontman Quique Niera, classic reggae rhythms and a heavy dose of love for all humanity.
A flood of praises have been bestowed upon Gondwana, both in America and in their native Chile where their debut Together reached Platinum level in 1999. Just released in May, 2000 through BMG Chile, their sophomore effort Alabanza reached Gold status in just two weeks! The single "Antonia" hit Number One on Chilean pop charts and the entire Alabanza album reached the same height only a week later. RAS Records is proud to be releasing Alabanza as Second Coming in the United States. Impressed by their music, promoters have invited Gondawana to perform this summer for the first time beyond their homeland at Reggae On The River, SOB’s in NYC, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, with Burning Spear in Baltimore, and other select dates to be announced.
"Gondwana are musical emissaries for reggae in Chile and for Chile to the rest of the world."
The Beat, Vol. 18 #3, 1999