Black Lives

Black Lives
"People Of Earth"

Worldwide release
April 19th, 2024 !

ABOUT "People Of Earth" - 2nd album - April 19th, 2024

If you had to sum up the work of Black Lives in a single word, it would be 'ESSENTIAL'.

This large and humanistic ensemble is working to fulfill a dream - some would say a utopia - that is as much musical as it is social. Musicians from the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe are united by a common language in their fight for equality and justice. It's about the future of our societies, which are lost in the excesses of all-consuming materialism and mistrust of others. A natural convergence of musical and cultural aesthetics - jazz, soul, funk, hip hop, blues - is shaping a declaration of love and an act of resistance. Hearts beat fast and fists are raised high! The watchwords call for a world of unity, peace, and freedom. It's a strong belief in tomorrow. 'If you unite and struggle, it's possible to change.'

The strength of Black Lives lies in its ability to unite and transcend the energies of experienced artists, allowing them to use their talents and personalities to serve the group. Each one takes on the role of a leader, offering the collective a personal story fueled by encounters with other artists (Miles Davis, Meshell Ndegéocello, Salif Keita, Roy Hargrove, Cassandra Wilson, Steve Coleman, Wayne Shorter, Esperanza Spalding…). The collective of musicians, ranging from 30 to 70 years old, offers a rare and beautiful intergenerational synergy. All of them are devoted to a cause that is more fundamental than ever in these troubled times. Words of hate and racism spread at high speed, threatening to leave indelible marks on people's minds. Their message is clear: 'One love, one world, one dream, all together.'

Although People of Earth is similar in intent to From Generation to Generation, it shows a significant evolution. Most of its repertoire was composed during the Black Lives tours of Europe in 2022 and 2023. On their days off, the musicians have been working on a new project recorded at Quai-Son studio in the Paris region. The result is a cohesive and energetic collection of fifteen compositions, most of them previously unreleased (except for a cover of Jef Lee Johnson's 'Move' and a new version of Adam Falcon's 'Better Days'). The attention paid to sound quality, entrusted to an unchanged team consisting of Russell Elevado for sound recording and Alex DeTurk for mastering, is just one of the many qualities of a record whose cast is, once again, prestigious. We also welcome the addition of saxophonist Pierrick Pédron, who recently collaborated with pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Pédron joins a team whose bassist leader values the solidarity of each member. The twenty-six musicians convey the power of music with a mix of anger, revolt, celebration luminosity, and hope. The album's graphics, created by Rebecca Meek - who has previously worked on From Generation To Generation  - perfectly illustrate the commitment to struggle, unity, freedom, and peace. This adventure thrills us with the effects of an underlying force which evokes the idea of uniting hearts and uplifting spirits. 'One consciousness'.

This music is beautiful. It's undoubtedly one of the most beautiful you can imagine. But shouldn't we say 'these musics'? No, because it is received as a single expression, when each composition is imbued with the same powerful dose of humanity. A music that is both multiple and unique, conveying strong sensations. It can move you to tears (Stephanie Mckay and her son Ezra Schwarz-Bart's poignant rendition of 'I Apologize', with lyrics by Oscar Brown Jr.), inspire you to work for a better future ('On Sèl Rèv', 'People of Earth'), raise your consciousness ('Price to Pay', 'Think', 'Awakening'). Or just let yourself be swept away by the burning guitars of Jean-Paul Bourelly ("Jubie's Jones") and David Gilmore ('Valley of Kings'). Let yourself fall under the spell of Federico González Pena's pulsating keyboards and Gregory Privat's piano, or the soulful sax of Pierrick Pédron, Marcus Strickland or Jacques Schwarz-Bart. Believe in a better future with Adam Falcon. Dance to the rhythm of Marque Gilmore, Gene Lake and Sonny Troupé's percussion, or the scratching of DJ Grazzhoppa's turntables. Whether sung by Christie Dashiell and Tutu Puoane or chanted by Sharrif Simmons, you’ll be carefully listening to the words of Black Lives, which are a warning to the world and to all people.

Black Lives' love story continues: this second phase, dedicated to all the children of the world, is full of generosity, passion and promise for the future. We look forward to experiencing this live, up close and personal with the musicians and their vibes. We are also excited to see what the future holds.

ABOUT "from Generation to Generation" - 1st album - March 2022

25 musicians from the United States, Caribbean and Africa each compose a song to fight against systemic racism in the world.

‍Cheick Tidiane Seck - Immanuel Wilkins - David Gilmore - Marque Gilmore - Sharrif Simmons - Stephanie McKay - Andy Milne - Kokayi - Sonny Troupé - Reggie Washington - Alicia Hall Moran - DJ Grazzhoppa - Adam Falcon - Jeremy Pelt - Grégory Privat - Marcus Strickland - E.J. Strickland - Oliver Lake - Jacques Schwarz-Bart - Gene Lake - Tutu Puoane - Yul - Marvin Sewell - Jean-Paul Bourelly - Terence “Sub Z“ Nicholson‍

The 25 composers are between 20 and 80 years old and are known for their work as leaders but also their collaboration with world-famous artists from the 60‘s until today (D‘Angelo, Fela Kuti, Meshell Ndegéocello, Salif Keita, Marcus Miller, Roy Hargrove, Erykah Badu, Steve Coleman, Joe Zawinul, The Headhunters, Wayne Shorter, Esperanza Spalding).

They come from the United States, Caribbean and Africa and their songs draw on many influences, such as African music, hip-hop, jazz, funk, rock, fusion, rap, jungle, nu-jazz, soul, blues, Caribbean jazz, opera, classical music, poetry.

This project brings together more than 60 musicians, who play a large variety of instruments: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, vibraphone, guitar, drums, bass, vocals, piano, keyboards, turntables, ka drums, n’goni, djembe and tama. There is even a choir from Mali, composed of girls 7 to 13 years of age.

On this album, you will listen to brothers, a father and a son, a couple, a mother and a son, old friends !

“Black Lives - from Generation to Generation“ is a collective of artists who are continuing to fight for equality and social justice through music.

‍All the rights and profits of this album will go straight to the talented artists who composed their songs for this cause: THE FIGHT AGAINST RACISM.

‍Music is a solid freedom. It is vital. It unites us.