Spirituals
GOSPEL FOLK & NEGRO HYMNS, TRADITIONAL MELODIES HANDED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION (ACPM-028)
Spirituals — Gospel Folk & Negro Hymns (Analog Champion)
February is Black History Month in the United States and Canada, and of course music has played a pivotal role in the African American community throughout history, serving as both a powerful form of expression and a purposeful means of resistance.
From the spirituals sung by enslaved individuals, which conveyed messages of hope and liberation, to the development of and adoption in genres like jazz, blues, and hip-hop, this indelible music reflects the struggles and triumphs of the community… uniting people around shared experiences, fostering a strong sense of identity and culture.
The License Lab’s founder and creative director Daniel Holter reached out to Seattle-based singer and arranger Tiffany Wilson with the idea to arrange and perform a selection of public domain Negro spirituals that would pay homage their unique sonic history. Holter recorded the choir a cappella using a variety of preservation and archival techniques (including vintage microphones, analog tape, vinyl and wire recorders), and multi-instrumentalist Philippe Bronchtein filled out a few of the songs with minimal piano, organ, and guitar. The results are assembled as this new Analog Champion collection Spirituals (ACPM-028).
“I think the African-American community can teach everyone about resilience and strength. [Music] was our outlet. And so with the Negro spiritual... we can teach the whole world about resilience.” — Tiffany Wilson
We hope that acknowledging and highlighting the importance of music during Black History Month reminds us all of the ongoing influence of African American artists in contemporary society. As new generations of musicians draw on traditional elements while also continuing to innovate, our aim is to keep the narrative alive and educate audiences on the diverse backstories and ongoing complexities of race, identity, and heritage. This collection is intended as a celebration that not only honors the past and the timeless contributions of ancestors but also inspires future creativity.
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