Album Notes

Up until 1994,the guys were giging locally as well as singing for church functions. But for the four of them - Al, Rob, Ruben, and Gil - it was enough to start a fire. Three brothers: Albert, Robert and Gilbert Robertson were taught at an early age to sing by their mother and were known locally as 'THE ROBERTSON BROTHERS'. Singing at church, weddings and family get togethers. As they grew older, so did their love for music, dance and acting.

Although the acting was short lived with a couple of Disney Productions and Television Commercials, the brothers focused more on playing their instruments and singing. They started up a three-piece band with a trumpet, a sax, and a clarinet. They then started playing other instruments like the drums, keyboards, bass, and guitar and started recruiting friends to play the other instruments. Before long, they formed a band with the help of friends and family and started to get paid for their performances. The fire was lit and they now were sure that they wanted to make music for a living! They started to write songs and make music with their sequencer.

By 1994, they went on to record their self-titled album in their native Samoan language still considered to be ground-breaking crossover for Samoan music. This set a new standard many Polynesian artist still go by today. No doubt they made an impact on Samoan music. Hip Hop and R&B tracks with Samoan lyrics in 1994...unheard of. Now it's everywhere.

After the release of the album, they eventually hooked up with their friend Ruben Amosa. A young man who also grew up singing in church, he too was raised with the love for music. As he performed for family and friends it was apparent that Ruben had raw talent and had developed his own unique style. He started singing with a local group 'COMPTON'S FINEST'. At the time, he was lead singer with his upcoming group 'RUSHE'- singing the original version of 'Leilani'. Still considered that groups hit single. He then decided to join the brothers band 'BROWN SUGAR' and the rest is history. After several years of the band scene, they committed to becoming independent recording artists. They now were able to focus on writing and producing their own style of music.

At the beginning of the year 2001, they committed to recording their debut album 'RAIN'. A project that took a little over a year to write, record, and complete. The entire album was recorded at home, mixed down at a friend's studio ('Sling Shot Studios'), and mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, California. The entire album consists of original material and displays the group's versatile eclectic style. The music is a fusion of Reggae and R&B with a slight Hip Hop twist layered sweet vocal harmonies.

Their influences range from Marvin Gaye to Brian McKnight to Buju Banton to Earth, Wind, and Fire. Growing up in Compton and Lynwood and loving Old School, R&B and HIP HOP, you can definitely hear a bit of all styles in their music! You're probably wondering about the group's name 'LINEAGE'... it's synonymous with heritage, kinship, and family. Coming from a family with a strong musical background, the guys decided on the name as a way of paying homage to their music mentors...family. That's how their name came to be... "LINEAGE"