The Black Seeds: Sowing the seeds of success

The Black Seeds are a crowd favourite both here and offshore.

Being dubbed "the best reggae band in the world" by Rolling Stone magazine was not lost on seven lads from Wellington.

The Black Seeds have established themselves as one of the country's finest acts, and are gaining a following in Europe and North America thanks to extensive winter tours.

Their reputation is carved on the back of multi-platinum selling albums and a masterful live show which has filled dance floors throughout the globe for over a decade.

This year they travelled to Europe and Australia for five dates, playing everywhere from international festivals to clubs.

"It was really well received. We have quite a strong fan base overseas with a lot of Kiwi ex-pats; there are certain areas in London, for instance, where where we are always guaranteed a really good audience," keyboardist Nigel Patterson told VIBE.

"We did some really big festivals in Germany, Switzerland, Holland, a few in the UK, and even crossed the ditch to play in Dublin,"

The past 18 months have been particularly successful with Dust and Dirt certifying gold, after being released worldwide through their own label Proville Records.

It debuted at No1 in New Zealand and achieved some of the band's best ever chart positions in Germany, the UK, United States and Australia, receiving high praise from reviewers.

"For somebody to appreciate and be positive about what we are doing is amazing - to get recognition from The Rolling Stone - it really validates what we are doing.

"Given that it's an international publication that's extremely well read is even better, because we are not just being compared to local acts, but music from every country and every era. It's crazy to realise the scale of it."

Dust And Dirtcaptured the band's characteristic brand of reggae-funk fusion at its authentic and fundamental best, while throwing a touch of rock in the mix.

From album opener Out of Light with its shimmering keyboard and vocals, it showcases a reinvigorated band with a more expansive sound.

The chilled-out disco dub of Don't Turn Around, was born out of a spontaneous jam before rehearsal, and the blaring horn line and varied use of instrumentation on Love Me Now, are testament to new found creative freedom.

While still inspired by the island grooves which brought them together, The Black Seeds' sound layers funk, soul, afrobeat, and other eclectic elements over dub/reggae foundations.

Their danceable live show infuses raw energy and good vibes wherever they go, making the band a regular fixture at the world's leading music festivals and a steady favourite with home crowds.

"Deep down we are pretty classic New Zealanders. Despite the fact that we have toured many countries, New Zealand is still the best place to tour - sun, sand, frisbees and soccer - you can't get much better than that.

"It helps that we have developed a really great network."

A love of life is reflected in their songs which are lyrically underpinned with positivity and optimism, a trend they intend to continue as they begin writing for a fresh CD, set for release in 2015.

"If everything goes according to plan, we should have it done by early 2015. We will combine that with some international tours."

The Black Seeds released their debut album Keep On Pushing in 2001, which went on to reach platinum sales in New Zealand, despite a minimal marketing budget.

On The Sun (2004) added a heavy dose of funk and soul to their dub reggae sound, debuting at No3 in the charts and giving life to one of their biggest hits to date, So True.

A third offering, Into the Dojo, signalled their introduction to the rest of the world - after spending five weeks at No1 in the New Zealand chart it was successfully released in Europe through Berlin-based label Sonar Kollektiv, garnering critical acclaim and airplay, particularly in Germany and France.

A follow up with Solid Ground in 2008 continued to build the band's global following after it was successfully released through trailblazing North American label Easy Star Records.

Catch the Black Seeds on Thursday, December 5 at The Cabana, Napier from 7.30pm. Tickets available through eventfinder.co.nz.