For Immediate Release:
Long time Colorado promoter and artist, Ras Marcus "Benji" Benjamin has launched a Kickstarter campaign to record the world's first CD release that features traditional Nyabinghi drumming and chanting with his original Dub poetry. Planned as a live "from the floor" studio recording, 40 different pieces will be delivered over the course of an hour in studio. Several of the poems will come from Benji's self-published book, Dub Talking which was made available in 1995.
Despite the challenges presented with the musicians and vocalists performing and recording live, the vocals will be delivered without any breaks between songs and presented as a full performance. Benji explains his motives for the project in this way, "I want people to feel it is as if they were at the live studio session."
Join Benji as a Kickstarter backer, his funding goal is just $3,000 and those that pledge $5.00 or more through the secure Amazon.com system will receive digital downloads, physical copies, and for Colorado residents who pledge at the $250 level the group can be enlisted to perform a private event!
Nyabinghi is a cultural music form that emulates the heartbeat and is usually presented with several drummers who chant and maintain a constant rhythm for several minutes at a time in what is known as a "groundation" type of reverent ceremony. With its origins in Uganda, the meditative form was developed to "chant" against the oppressive colonial regime. In Jamaica, the concepts of Nyabinghi were appropriated for similar anti-colonial efforts. Dub Poetry has developed from both the spoken word tradition of the revolutionary, radical Beat Poets and Reggae music with its wide scope of influences and myriad styles. The Dub Talking recording project is historic in that it represents the first time that Dub Poetry will be combined with a full nyabinghi drum group for a complete, authentic, groundation style recording that will combine poetry, vocal chanting and percussion.
The album release will also be entitled "Dub Talking" and will be available as a digital download and on CD through CD Baby www.cdbaby.com. Produced by Jah Levi, world renowned producer and master Nyabinghi drummer at Theocratic Recording Studios in the Bay area of California, it will feature guest vocals by Rocker T who will perform Nyabinghi chants. Check out www.soundcloud.com/ras-marcus-benjamin to hear what the past recordings are like and what is in store and view Benji's new artist page at www.reggaemovement.com/rasmarcusbenjamin for more information.
Cut off Date for funding is November 11th 2012