For the past three years, California band Stick Figure has been hailed by Billboard magazine as the top-selling reggae act.

The six-member unit continues its musical evolution on Wisdom, their latest album, which is released today via Ruffwood/Ineffable Records.

The 14-song set, which was produced, recorded and mixed by Stick Figure’s lead vocalist Scott Woodruff, features collaborations with Jamaican singer Barrington Levy, Bermudan singjay Collie Buddz, and fellow California band Slightly Stoopid.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday, Woodruff explained the difference between Wisdom and World on Fire, Stick Figure’s previous album.

“It’s the continued evolution of the Stick Figure sound. I’m a producer first and foremost. I’m constantly being influenced lyrically by everything that’s happening in my life. I love experimenting with new sounds and styles and mixing techniques, constantly trying to push myself in the studio. I’ve always been influenced by dub masters and music from Jamaica but have recently been very influenced by some electronic music styles as well, particularly Kygo and Major Lazer, which you’ll hear some subtle influences from on this new record,” Woodruff explained.

Formed in 2006, Stick Figure’s line-up also includes Kevin Bong (KBong) on keyboards, Kevin Offitzer on drums, bassist Tommy Suliman, John Gray (Johnny Cosmic) on guitar, keyboards and backing vocals, and percussionist Will Phillips.

Wisdom hears the group maintaining a reggae vibe. Woodruff is optimistic melodic songs including Showdown (with Collie Buddz), Old Sunrise, Paradise, Soul of the World (with Barrington Levy), Falling Stars, and Edge of The Ocean reinforce their dominance on the American reggae scene.

Stick Figure has remained consistent on the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart for the past decade.

The 2009’s Smoke Stack peaked at number eight, while 2012’s Burial Ground, 2015’s Set in Stone and 2019’s World on Fire all sailed to number one. Set in Stone: Instrumentals, released in 2015, peaked at number seven, while last year’s Fire and Stone: Prince Fatty Presents Stick Figure, reached number three.

Interestingly, World On Fire and Set in Stone have been in the Billboard Reggae Album Chart’s Top 10 since early 2020.

World on Fire has sold more than 300,000 album equivalent units (50,000 in pure album sales), while Set in Stone has sold 415,000 in album equivalent units (87,000 in pure album sales) without the backing of a major label.

Woodruff says there is no pressure to maintain a chart presence.

“Not really. I try not to think about things like that. My main goal has always been to focus on making the music I want to make. I’ve never thought that if it’s poppy or if it’s for radio that the song will perform better. I actually try to stay away from all that because it never feels genuine. For me, it’s just about creating music I love and think people will enjoy.”

Stick Figure has worked with Jamaican artistes such as Raging Fyah (Shadow remix in 2016) and Half Pint (Women of the Night in 2012). They have also collaborated with Don Carlos.

Woodruff has been a fan of Barrington Levy for years. He said it is an honour to have him on Wisdom.

“It was my idea [to have Barrington on the album]. Barrington is my favourite artiste of his generation, and he has been one of my biggest influences. It’s been my dream ever since starting Stick Figure to collaborate with Barrington. As Soul of The World progressed, I knew he would be the perfect fit on the record. So, when I sent him the song, he said he loved it and agreed to collaborate almost immediately. He did a really great job and I’m very proud of how the track came together,” Woodruff disclosed.

In April, SOJA from Virginia won the Best Reggae Album Grammy Award for Beauty in The Silence, the first American act to win that category. That victory is significant, Woodruff believes.

“I’m really happy for them and they have been grinding hard for over 20 years. I think the award was well-deserved. I try to stay focused on creating music for the fans first and foremost. Winning awards or accolades in that way has never been a priority for Stick Figure. I have a lot of respect for SOJA and all the other nominees, all of whom were very deserving and have put in a lot of work to be able to get to that stage. It’s really amazing what influence reggae music has had on the world,” he said.