Stories Behind the Tracks
Ambitions
Charlottesville
Charlottesville
'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)
'Fragments from Memory'
Acrylic Painting by Midhun Gopi
Charlottesville
Charlottesville
Charlottesville
'Under Attack'
On 12th August 2017, James Fields deliberately drove his car into a peaceful crowd that were protesting against the Unite the Right rally. His senseless, hate-fuelled action shone a spotlight on the sustained racial tension that fed on the streets of America, and reverberated around the world. The tragic death of Heather Heyer on that day would serve as yet another sad and prophetic sign of what was yet to come. Another event to remind us of the ongoing struggle between LOVE and HATE
Zalika Dale: Vocal Harmonies
Me: Piano, Yamaha 'Hammond' & 'Rhodes' Keys,
Yamaha MODX (Strings)
& Assorted Drums/Percussions
(Audio Montages ft; US Broadcasts)
Alex Kempson: Lead Electric & Bass Guitars
Yam: Soprano & Alto Saxophone
Photo by S. Herman & F. Ridher
Grieve
Charlottesville
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
Photo by Getty Images
Stories Behind the Tracks
Greta
Franklin (Charles Schulz)
Van Gogh Is Bipolar
'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)
'Greta'
Graphic Artwork by Vee Ladwa
Van Gogh Is Bipolar
Franklin (Charles Schulz)
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,
Drums & ECG recording
(Audio Montages ft; Jetro Rafael)
Yam: Soprano & Alto Saxophone
Image by Nat Aggioto
Franklin (Charles Schulz)
Franklin (Charles Schulz)
Franklin (Charles Schulz)
'The Letter'
Soon after the death of MLK, an elementary teacher wrote a letter to the cartoonist C. Schulz, inviting the artist to introduce Franklin, an African American character, into the Peanuts books. It was meant as a symbol of greater integration.
At the same time, a brave young black student,
Ruby Bridges, was facing hostility on the steps as she attended her first day at school during the New Orleans School desegregation crisis.
Zalika Dale: Vocal Harmonies
Me: Piano, Yamaha 'Rhodes' Keys & Drums
(Audio Montages ft; H.Glickman, CBS News)
Shivraj Sharma: Levit Kingma Flute
'Franklin'
Acrylic Painting by Olivia Bogen
Youtube Thumbnail Photo: Richenda Court
Uyghurs 'أَذَان'
Uyghurs 'أَذَان'
Franklin (Charles Schulz)
'Call to Prayer'
اللهُ أكبـَرُ اللهُ أكبـَر
اللهُ أكبـَرُ اللهُ أكبـَر
Islam is an important part of the Uyghur's Identity.
I am moved by their inner strength and faith, at a time of immense personal challenge for their
very existence.
Call to Prayer - Amazing Azan by Idris Aslami
Me: Piano, Yamaha MOFX8, 6 & MODX, Yamaha 'Yangqin' & 'Ney Flute' Keys
& Assorted Drums/Percussion
Keir Crawley; Yamaha MODX (Strings)
Artwork by Artadya Gumelar
Fountain
Uyghurs 'أَذَان'
Animal Farm
Fountain Hughes: (ca. 1859– 1957)
"My grandfather belonged to Thomas Jefferson",
this former slave pronounced. Each time, the poignancy of the statement moves me to tears.
I responded to the recorded voice of Mr Hughes, fully aware for me this was the first ever such recording that I had heard with such clarity.
Me: Piano & Yamaha 'Acoustic Guitar' Keys
(Audio Montages ft: F.Hughes, US C Library)
Animal Farm
Uyghurs 'أَذَان'
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
'Chauvin's Shadow'
Acrylic Painting by Suleyman Wellings-Longmore
French Text Translation: Phillippe Stoll
Stories Behind the Tracks
Dīpāvalī (दीपावली).
Meditations: Pt.1 & 2
Meditations: Pt.1 & 2
'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)
Acrylic Portrait by Unknown Student
Meditations: Pt.1 & 2
Meditations: Pt.1 & 2
Meditations: Pt.1 & 2
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
Buddha Nature: 'Meditation' Pt. 2
The term "Buddha-nature" (佛性) refers to what
is essential in the human being.
Meditation quietens the mind and goes
beyond ordinary thought.
Me: Piano,Yamaha Keys
& Assorted Drums/Percussion
(Audio Montages ft; Jetsunma Palmo)
Amenah Mustafa: Darabukka (sample)
Shivraj Sharma: Levit Kingma Flute
Image by Ambroo
Betrayal
Meditations: Pt.1 & 2
Betrayal
'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
'Sebastian'
1986 Watercolour by Richenda Court ARE
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 realise 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. I commissioned an artist friend, who knew my mother,
to make a visual response to the poem.
(Edited Version completed: New Years Eve 24)
Me: Piano, Harmonies, Yamaha 'Violin/Cello/Guitar & Flute' Keys,
Assorted Drums/Percussion
Strings & Choral Arrangements
(Original Audio ft: A. Barnes, H. Mills, M. Smith, P. Franklin & J. Agutter)
'Isabel' linocut by Richenda Court ARE
"Sir, my mother said that she saw me before I was born. I was calling out to her"
( Student )
Stories Behind the Tracks
Munus Prae Jure
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
Ashes
Munus Prae Jure
Munus Prae Jure
'Promise’
Seated together at the table of a small beachfront cafe, my mother first told me of her wish to be cremated and for her ashes scattered on the Caribbean sea. After this disclosure, she seemed allayed and calmed, as she paused to drink again from her glass of sweet sarsaparilla.
Onboard an early morning speedboat, this loyal group of passengers carried the cremains of a mother, a friend and a cousin. This silent journey moved into heavier waters, and the boat's engine was then cut. My mother's ashes were released. Some carried into the air by the warm evening breeze, but mostly taken by the heavy and beautiful deep salty sea. That afternoon, we witnessed the setting of the sun.
Me: Piano, Yamaha 'Spanish & Bass Guitar’ Keys & Assorted Drums/Percussion
Amenah Mustafa: Tambourine, Darabukka,
Djembe Drums & Assorted Percussion
Photo of the Caribbean Sea by Sebastian
”We are all from water” BBC World Service Nevis Broadcast July 2022
दान
Munus Prae Jure
दान
"Gift"
Several years ago, one of my 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.
Me: Voice, Yamaha Keys, Nord Stage 3 88,
Hang Drum, Assorted Percussion &
Linn Drum Programming
Karen Mayer & Gershon Ahadzi : Djembes
Amenah Mustafa: Tambourine, Darabukka,
& Djembe Drums
Talisha Bharadia : Dhol Drum
tbc : Chinese Erhu Violin
'Still-Life' 1999 Mock Exam
Acrylic painting by Dipa Chandegra