THE ARCHIVES REGGAE BAND

The Archives began when Thievery Corporation’s Eric Hilton began a quest to explore the roots of reggae music. Led by producer/ keyboard ace Darryl “D-Trane” Burke, all members have recorded and toured internationally with acts like Eek-A-Mouse, Black Uhuru, Culture, Don Carlos and more,” Burke explains. “We weave together the best of foundation reggae roots, rock steady, early dub and dancehall influences.

The Archives feature vocalists Puma Ptah, the charismatic singer from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands who records and tours with Thievery Corporation; Darryl Trane Burke (Moja Nya, Eek-A-Mouse, Culture) on keyboards and drummer; Leslie “Black Seed” James Jr. (Culture, Eek-A-Mouse); Guitar virtuoso Henri Tanash from Cameroon (Meditations) and Kingston, Jamaica’s own on bass, Pierre Stone (Don Carlos, Black Uhuru) to round out the lineup.

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.