The Band JATA was founded in 2003 by Paul Brion and Paul "Rootsy" Downie. It is an acoustic band that blends American roots music (blues, folk, zydeco, Cajun, bluegrass) with reggae and other international forms-acoustic music with guts. The band plays all over the East Coast and has opened for performers including: Terrance Simien, the Wailers, India-Arie, Marcia Ball, and many others. JATA performs both as a duo (guitar and percussion) and as a full ensemble adding accordion, bass and drums. Both formats are featured on this album, but most cuts have the full band. Paul Brion Paul has over 25 years of experience performing in and leading bands. He is the principal songwriter, arranger and lead vocalist for JATA. He has played in reggae, blues, zydeco and R&B projects all over the East Coast and Hawaii. Rootsy Rootsy has been playing music professionally for over a decade. He shares songwriting and lead vocal duties and holds down the backbeat. His past projects have included reggae, R&B, Hip Hop, southern rock, Afrobeat and storytelling. He is also involved with work in the visual arts and arts education. The Album We recorded this album strictly roots and culture style in Rootsy's living room in Germantown Philadelphia. Then we mixed and mastered it at studios. It's mostly original tunes. Also included are the traditional "In the Pines" and an Ethiopian tune called "Saba Sabina". The songs address issues in the everyday lives of everyday people, covering topics such as romance gone wrong, simple justice, loneliness, dreams, hard times and vegetarianism. If anything we hope it sounds honest, and is something that folks will enjoy listening to in their living rooms.