The Twin Cities first Spoken Word compilation. Speakeasy Records' first full production release, Words Will Heal the Wound: A Celebration of Community Through Poetry, was developed from the noted spoken word radio series. Words Will Heal features the works of J. Otis Powell!, Arkology, Truthmaze, Bao Phi, ANIKA, Desdamona, Sister Mimi, Sha Cage, Slug (of Atmosphere), Wookiefoot, and others. Includes original version of Slug's 'Hell's Playground'. A must have for lovers of spoken word and those interested in the Minnesota scene.
from
Words Will Heal the Wound (Volume One),
released July 3, 2001
1. Kuntu – Arkology (Liberian American, Afrikan American, Tanzanian American, Scandafarian, European American)
written by Black Arts Movement poet Larry Neal • vocals: e.g. bailey, Mire Regulus and Mankwe Ndosi; drums: Jason “Kona” Lund; bass: Dennis “Genesis” Maddix; keyboard: Tom Spaeth • produced by Jeremy Ylvisaker at Greenhouse Studios
Arkology is a spoken word and music collective, which melds poetry with music. Their goal is to create a spoken word/music synthesis based in the aesthetic of the jazz ensemble where each instrument, including the voice, enters the ensemble on an equal footing and has an opportunity to lead and shape the resulting sound, creating a multi-sensory experience. @rkology was chosen for Minnesota’s City Pages' Picked to Click Best Local Bands Poll in both 1998 and 1999, and was nominated for a Minnesota Music Award in 1998.
Kuntu encompasses the collective's philosophy and intent––the merging of voices and rhythms within a community, given birth from the Drum of the heartbeat, and the continuation of a poetic tradition rooted within the oral traditions of Afrika. The piece is also structured as a movement, suggesting the evolution of music and poetry, and perhaps symbolically, humanity itself. The work begins with a heartbeat, which is then simulated by the Drum, and joined by vocal articulations and sung phrases. The poetics are added––in the tradition of the griots speaking of our beginnings and history. At the articulation of "Pulse", more instrumentation is added to mark the evolving consciousness of music and art. Finally the keys are added––with particular references to Thelonious Monk––to mark the further evolution of music and to honor the birth of the first great American art form, Jazz. It all then returns to the Drum, completing the circle. This is our homage to the profound tradition of poetry, music, and art that is our legacy. ––e.g. bailey
Executive Producers: e.g. bailey & Shá Cage
* Produced by Andrew Baschyn
** Produced by jeremy c. www.mp3.com\onb
Mastered by Tom Garneau at Audioactive
Graphic design: Karin Odell
Photos: Hiedi Ehalt
Speakeasy Logo Design: Walter Kitundu
Tru Ruts Endeavors Logo Design: Karin Odell
Brought to you by Tru Ruts Endeavors: harvesting the Tree of Life
Speakeasy Logo • Tru Ruts Endeavors Logo
© 2001 Speakeasy Records • 223 Cedar Avenue South #21, Minneapolis, MN 55454
email:
info@truruts.com • net:
www.truruts.com
All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. © 2001 Speakeasy Records. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.
www.truruts.com
