On March first of this year, not a note of this music existed. I had much of it in mind one way or another for some time but didn’t know where to start or how to capture it. It came to me, finally, that I could put together a modest but effective studio, sing the primary chords of each piece, record them over basic drum tracks, and send the results to cellist Gordon Withers. Gordon then sent me his cello ideas for each piece, frequently several at a time, which I edited and shaped into skeletal versions of enumerated compositions eventually called “Freedoms.” From there, the sketches were sent to J. Robbins and Mark Cisneros, and we all met at Magpie Cage in Baltimore to record their ideas and improvisations. I finished the pieces back at my studio, sent the files to J. for mixing and Dan Coutant for mastering and that is the story of these recordings.
“But why ‘Freedoms?’ Freedom from what?” one might ask. Freedom from oneself, perhaps, as one is freed when captivated by acts of creation; freedom from the limitations one has habitually and wrongly set for oneself; freedom from the despair and fear of the cascading and escalating crises of the last several years and especially the last couple of years. These freedoms are temporary, of course, and rarely concurrent. But they are at times all we have, and it seems suitable if humble tribute to capture and share some of their spirit in music.
Thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy it.
[You can hear Mark’s latest music here and here.]These are some records I’ve been listening pretty heavy to. Truly some of my absolute favorites. Some old and new. They’ve been regular features in my monthly DJ sets and, now due to the pandemic, my livestreamed Blues and the Abstract Truth. Some have been with me for 25 years, and a couple are new releases that I am so excited about and very grateful for. Instead of adding my own commentary for each selection, I think it’s best to let them speak for themselves. I’ve included lyrics and text from these incredible documents. They uplift and speak to a greater consciousness than I could ever communicate.Selection #1: Archie Shepp, Attica Blues (1972): “Attica Blues / Invocation: Attica Blues”
“I got a feeling that something ain’t going right, and I’m worried about the human soul. I got a feeling…”
“If I would have had the chance to make a decision, every man could walk this earth on equal condition. Every child could do more than just dream of a star. All the death and strife would cease, and I would put an end to war.”
“Only when nature doesn’t take it’s natural toll, am I worried for the human soul. Some people think that they are in their rights when on command they take a black man’s life. But let me give a rundown on how I feel… If it ain’t natural, than it ain’t real. I wish I were better.”
Members, don’t get weary Members, don’t get weary Members, don’t get weary For the work’s ‘mos’done.
O’keep your lamp trimmed and burning O’keep your lamp trimmed and burning O’keep your lamp trimmed and burning For the work’s ‘mos’done.
We’ll go down to the river Jordan We’ll go down to the river Jordan We’ll go down to the river Jordan When our work is done.
We’re going to sit at the welcome table We’re going to sit at the welcome table We’re going to sit at the welcome table When our work is done.
We’re going to feast on the milk and honey We’re going to feast on the milk and honey We’re going to feast on the milk and honey When our work is done.
We’re going to march with the tallest angel We’re going to march with the tallest angel We’re going to march with the tallest angel When our work is done.
Members, don’t get weary Members, don’t get weary Members, don’t get weary For the work’s ‘mos’done.
Negro Spiritual. Sung by Andy BeySelection #3: Joe Henderson featuring Alice Coltrane, The Elements(1973): “Earth”
Time Time Time Time the suffocator of the moment now dreams of tomorrow where we will find the missing pieces and on a new journey to wholeness Time Time Time Peace Love Hope moving on the wings of the moment now Time Time Time children of the soil rejoice yesterday was tomorrow never is Time is now Time Time is only love
Words written and spoken by Kenneth NashSelection #4: Albert Ayler, The Last Album: “Again Comes The Rising of the Sun”
Again comes the rising of the sun Another day when we’ve begun The unfinished chores of yesterday We set about to find our way We always finish and begin We go through life until the end And here are the things we do
We build it up, and tear it down We start all over, and make it round We can make it short, make it long Before we know it, our time is gone But tomorrow is always another day Yes we’ll keep going the same old way
But again comes the rising of the sun Another day when our work has begun We look for the better things in life Seeking to find an answer day and night Always studying and planning to make a profit And in the end we sometimes wonder if it’s worth it
And here are the things we do We build it up, and tear it down We start all over, and make it round We can make it short, make it long Before we know it, our time is gone But tomorrow is always another day Yes we’ll keep going the same old way
Written and sung by Mary Maria ParksSelection #5: Irreversible Entanglements, Who Sent You? (2020): “The Code Noir / Amina”
“Stay on it.” “At what point do we stand up? At what point do we stand up? At the breaking point? At the point of no return? At what point? At what point do we pull each other up out of the void… up out of the hell… at one point? At what point do we give a shit – do we stand up and say something? When we go off script… and step out of the daze. Dumbfounded daze… when we step out of the daze… dumbfounded daze… return back to the now. At what point?”
Words written and spoken by Moor Mother/Camae AyewaSelection #6: Damon Locks’ Black Monument Ensemble, Where Future Unfolds (2019): “Statement of Intent / Black Monument Theme”
“Safety is in question. As the future unfolds in rapid succession. We walk in a rhythmic procession. The morning has transformed. Regression. Built up heights of depression. How can it stand? Declarations, demonstrations. Statement of intent. I will tell you what we want. What is the thing that makes you feel like your heart is growing? We want to see light touching surfaces. We want to see light touching surfaces. We want to see light touching surfaces. So we chose our next move. The time is now, it has always been. Respond anew. Pass the guard and get through. Because somethings never change. Black Monument.”
