Tracks recorded from live BRAIN GRIMMER sets 2012-2013
…with a few bonus tracks sprinkled in.
Live Set (Bonus Cuts) EP
All tracks produced and performed by BRAIN GRIMMER
Cello, Guzheng, Guqin, Ableton Live, APC 40, QuNeo
Don Cherry – vocals, trumpet (track 2)
Alan Watts – vocals (track 3)
BenZ – rap (track 5)
Aldous Huxley – vocals (track 6)
Nas – vocals (track 7)
~ from Bashiri: “As an artist it is our responsibility to provide the soundtrack (visual or audio) to the life and times that we’re living in. As a singer, I feel it’s my obligation to pay tribute to those that have paved the way for me and my contemporaries. This project is a tribute to an icon, one that inspired me and provided so much to a generation of emcees, singers and poets. Executive Produced and arranged by dr. Bass + vicelikemiami (@dbvlm), and including a host of great musicians, this is my offering to our life and times. Ladies and Gentlemen: The Gil Suite“
Notes on “Vildgolia (Deaf, Dumb, & Blind)” – produced by BRAIN GRIMMER
When I received the drum, vocal, and sax stems from Dace & Matt, I excitedly went to work on finishing this arrangement & tweaking the mix. I had been listening to Gil Scott-Heron vinyl all month in preparation for this project. Just then, Ferguson happened. Now, a few months on, cold injustice has once again been served, and served, ||: … and served :|| … The passion & message in this music is inseparable from solidarity towards an end to the continued oppression of people of color. Bashiri, while paying tribute to a great social & racial justice poet, is reminding us all how true Gil’s words ring in the present day. We are not yet living in a “post-racial” America, and whiteys: don’t be fooled in to thinking so by your favorite talking-head or politician.
Stand together in peace. Black lives matter. Much love and respect.
post script – Thanks to Bashiri, Dace & Matt for inviting me to participate on this project! Thanks to Rob Dixon (sax) and Justin Brewer (drums) for playing on the track! If y’all are sleepin’ on dr. Bass + vicelikemiami – WAKE UP! This production-squad is killin’ it. I was happy to contribute some guzheng parts for their April, 2014 release EP1. Bashiri’s vocals are heavily featured on this ep – check dbvlm out, get on that train!
