Stories Behind the Tracks
Ambitions
Meditations: Pt.1
'Perhaps, I know more about you'
I wrote a theme for VI Form students who were preparing to graduate. As this diverse group spoke of their dreams and ambitions, I became mindful of the various obstructions that they would invariably have to challenge on this path. Simultaneously, I came across an old James Baldwin TV Interview.
Baldwin spoke of his life experiences in the USA, the fact that he believed he knew more about white America than they did about him - His perspective resonated with me. The miniature painting by a most talented artist friend Midhun Gopi seemed to be an appropriate visual metaphor for the composition and it's subsequent video.
Me: Vocals, Piano, Yamaha Keys & Drums
A.I.Voice Montage and Programming
(Inspired by an original audio ft; James Baldwin)
(Music by Sebastian)
'Fragments from Memory'
Acrylic Painting by Midhun Gopi
Meditations: Pt.1
Meditations: Pt.1
Potential: 'Meditation' Pt. 1
"Our Potential is Infinite"
Kirithika Dayananthan: Vocal Harmonies
Me: Piano, Yamaha 'Ney Flute & Sitar' Keys,
DTX Multi-pad, Roland Hand-sonic 'Tabla'
& Vocal Harmonies
Shivraj Sharma: Flute
(Music by Sebastian)
Image by Ambroo
Grieve
Grieve
'What use is sadness?'
After many years of grieving, the loss of a sister, I stumbled on these poignant words. Words from the 14th Dalai Lama, who was speaking of his own personal experience of loss. Until then, I had only heard of such a response, but was now ready to listen. This composition attempts to bring to fruition a journey. 'Meditation in the Word.'
Grief takes so many forms.
Gregorian Chant written by Kevin MacLeod and recorded at the Abbey de Clervaux.
*Sadia Awkahiye quotes: 'Meditation in the Word'
Me: Piano (Live), Yamaha MOFX8, 6 & MODX, Yamaha 'Yangqin', 'Guitar' & 'Bass' Keys.
Assorted Percussion, Vocal Harmonies
& Choral Arrangements
(Audio Montages ft; 14th Hon. Dalai Lama)
Keir Crawley: Yamaha MODX (Strings)
*Voice Support: Sadia Conteh-Mosere
(Music by Sebastian)
"Grief is the price we pay for love"
Portrait of Sebastian
1986 Watercolor by Richenda Court RE
Stories Behind the Tracks
Greta
'Can you hear me?'
I followed closely the story of Greta Thunberg, and was inspired by her individual and simple crusade. One which would seem to become a benchmark for our own re-awakening of the climate crisis. Greta changed the narrative of the young protester.
In 2019, I was moved by the many students from around the globe who came out to march, demanding that their governments do something.
- Skolstrejk för klimatet -
**Hamda Sheikh read: Extracts from
Carl Sagan's 'The Pale Blue Dot'.
**Spoken Word: Sophie Dixon, Aphrodite Miranda
& Aleena Raza
Zalika Dale: Vocal Harmonies
Me: Piano, Yamaha 'Sax, Acoustic & Bass Guitar Keys, Assorted Drums & Percussion,
MOXF6/8, MODX (String Arrangement)
(Audio Montages ft; USA/China & G.Thunberg)
Keir Crawley; Yamaha MODX Cello
Alex Kempson: Electric Guitar (Samples)
Debora Gracio Santos: Andean Quena Flute
**(Focusrite Scarlet 18i8 Recording by Keir Crawley)
(Music by Sebastian)
'Greta'
Graphic Artwork by Vee Ladwa
Dīpāvalī (दीपावली).
'Festival of Lights'
Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights, It symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".
Originally composed by Sebastian for a Sainsbury's Diwali campaign, this piece receives a 24' remix.
This poignant and extended version reflects the joys and hopes for Diwali past and present.
**Kirithika Dayananthan: Vocal Harmonies
Me: Piano, Yamaha 'Acoustic Guitar' Keys, Roland Hand-sonic, 'Tabla', Assorted Percussion
& MODX (String Arrangement)
Shivraj Sharma: Flutes
**Talisha Bharadia: Dhol Drums 'Chaal - છાલ'
**(Focusrite Scarlet 18i8 Recording by Keir Crawley)
(Music by Sebastian)
Acrylic Portrait by Unknown Student hung unclaimed on my office wall for the longest time.
Moral Questions
Moral Questions
'An Interview with Nelson Mandela'
Soon after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela gave a most uncompromising interview with TV journalist Ted Koppel. Throughout the ebullient interview, Nelson Mandela responded,
"You can call it being Political or a Moral Question" This phrase stayed with me.
Me: Piano, Yamaha MOFX8, 6 & MODX, Yamaha 'Yangqin'. Martin 'Trumpet', 'Flute', Assorted Drums, Percussions & 'Bass' Keys
(Audio Montage ft: Nelson Mandela)
Amenah Mustafa: Darabukka & Djembe Drums
Keir Crawley: Yamaha MODX
Alex Kempson: Bass Guitar
(Music by Sebastian)
'Moral Questions'
linocut by Richenda Court RE
Stories Behind the Tracks
Uyghurs 'أَذَان'
Van Gogh Is Bipolar
Van Gogh Is Bipolar
'Call to Prayer'
اللهُ أكبـَرُ اللهُ أكبـَر
اللهُ أكبـَرُ اللهُ أكبـَر
Islam is central to the Uyghur's Identity.
I am moved by their inner strength and faith, at a time of immense challenge for their very existence.
Call to Prayer - Amazing Azan by Idris Aslami
Me: Piano, Yamaha MOFX8, 6 & MODX,
Yamaha 'Fretless', 'Yangqin' & 'Ney Flute' Keys
& Assorted Drums/Percussion
Keir Crawley; Yamaha MODX (Strings)
(Music by Sebastian)
Amazing Azan by Idris Aslami
Acrylic Painting by Anum Rauf
Van Gogh Is Bipolar
Van Gogh Is Bipolar
Van Gogh Is Bipolar
'V.G.I.B, the restaurant in Quezon City'
I'd read that, prior to working at this unique restaurant, all of its staff had attempted suicide or had had such thoughts. Like a sanctuary, the restaurant's calm approach to well-being brought a sense of almost divine healing to its diners and those once troubled workers.
Me: Piano,Yamaha 'Fretless Bass' Keys,
Soprano, Alto Saxophone,
Drums & ECG recording
(Audio Montages ft; Jetro Rafael)
(Music by Sebastian)
Acrylic Painting by Kamilla Pedersen
Animal Farm
Van Gogh Is Bipolar
Animal Farm
'Le Jeune Enfant Imitateur D'animaux'
A friend of mine recorded the voice of her then young daughter for an initial idea I had been working on. Inspired by the unexpected and inquisitive sounds of her child's recordings, animal noises. I returned this composition as a gift to her family. Later, using these sounds, I choose to make a creative connection with the act of play, dance and the Orwellian fable.
I was invited to an Art exhibition of a former student. This particular image, entitled 'Chauvin's Shadow' , 'spoke to me' instantly. I'm most grateful to Suleyman for giving me permission to use this delightful piece
to illustrate the track.
**Casey Wilson: Vocal Harmonies
*Keira Clarke: Le jeune enfant imitateur d'animaux
*(Recorded by Sara Dareve)
**(Focusrite Scarlet 18i8 Recording by Keir Crawley)
Me: Vocal Harmonies, Piano,
Yamaha 'Folk Guitar' Keys & Drums
(Music by Sebastian)
'Chauvin's Shadow'
Acrylic Painting by Suleyman Wellings-Longmore
French Text Translation: Phillippe Stoll
Stories Behind the Tracks
Isabel
"Childhood years"
I wrote this piece almost two years before my mother became seriously ill. I could never
have predicted that, on its completion, the music would be played on my mother's final
journey. Looking back, I realize now that during this writing period, I was unconsciously
'preparing' myself or at least, for the first time, contemplating being without her.
I know that my mother would have smiled with pride hearing her poem ‘The Mango Tree' as it is read
within the extended version. This self-penned poem made several references to
her childhood years. An artist friend, who knew my mother,
produced this wonderful lino-print as a visual response to the poem.
This 'Exclusive 2025 Mix' was completed on New Years Eve 24
Me: Piano,Yamaha 'Violin/Cello/Guitar & Flute' Keys,
Assorted Drums/Percussion,
Strings & Choral Arrangements
*(The 'Early Dawn String Ensemble' a.k.a Sebastian)
(Original Audio ft: A. Barnes, H. Mills, M. Smith, P. Franklin & J. Agutter)
(Music by Sebastian)
'Isabel' linocut by Richenda Court RE
"Sir, my Mother said that she saw me before I was born. I was calling out to her from within"
( Student )
Stories Behind the Tracks
Munus Prae Jure
Munus Prae Jure
'Duty Before Rights'
This piece explores our celebration of science and the right to create and continue to develop technology within and around ourselves."Least we not forget the most basic of responsibilities we have to others and humanity on this journey of technological discoveries"
(Meditation Remix Version)
Me: Piano, Yamaha ' Guitar & Flute' Keys
& Assorted Drums/Percussion
Shivraj Sharma: Vietnamese & Levit Kingma Flutes
(Music by Sebastian)
Choices
Munus Prae Jure
'We don't want to have this conversations'
A few years ago, I saw an interview Asra Nomani gave on her beloved faith, Islam.
I was intrigued at her positioning. Asra was born in India to Muslim parents, an author
and activist known for her controversial work in the Islamic feminism and reform movements.
"I believe that being an Islamic feminist,
that we fight for equal rights"
"She is not the burden of chastity,
she is not the burden of piety"
Me: Piano, Yangqin' & 'Ney Flute' Keys,
Yamaha MODX Bass, Assorted Percussion
& Audio Montage (ft; Asra Nomani )
(Music by Sebastian)
Pencil / Watercolour study by Richenda Court
दान
दान
'Gift I - III'
Many years ago, one of my then exceptionally talented graduating students presented me with this inspirited painting. It was a gift to me then, and remains a most enduring and timeless milestone. This music piece celebrates the diverse energies/powers of 'A Gift in 3 stages
Zalike Dale: Harmonies
Kamilla Pederson: Harmonies
Me: Vocals, Piano, Meridian Hang Drum,
Roland Hand-sonic, 'Tabla',
Yamaha Keys, Guitars, & Percussion.
Chandni Surti: Handsonic 'Tabla'
Amenah Mustafa: Handsonic 'Darbuka'
Shivraj Sharma: Levit Kingma Flute
Keir Crawley: MODX Strings, Armenian Durduk
& Erhu Sampled Sounds
Divya Chandegra: Spoken Micro-Reset
M.Q. I 12.07.25, Some Audience responses to
"What brings you hope?"
Micro-Reset Words by Diviya Chandegra
(Music by Sebastian)
Acrylic painting by Dipa Chandegra