BASHIRI ASAD PRESENTS:

“THE GIL SUITE: A TOAST TO GIL SCOTT-HERON & BRIAN JACKSON“

~ 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!