Unified Tribe

Unified Tribe traces its origins to 1982, when Magic—a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and the group’s founder—assembled the first incarnation of the band in Queens, NY. Singer and violinist Harmony soon became a member, followed in time by bassist and vocalist Starr, trombonist Kal-El, and guitarist and vocalist Merrily. After relocating to Austin, TX, the ensemble released its debut album, Listen to This, in 2001. Mixed Messages appeared two years later. By the point at which the band—also proprietors of their own production company—prepared to cut a third album, the lineup had expanded to include Magic, Harmony, Starr, Merrily, Tamara on keyboards, Kara on sax and flutes, Baby on guitar, Zen on drums and percussion, Hammer on drums and percussion, Seth on guitar and trumpet, and Hammer, every participant contributing vocals in some capacity. In 2006 the mixed-race and multicultural collective, which takes pride in that identity, delivered Funktional Family.