Described as a “Post Colonial Big Band” the Afro Yaqui Music Collective presents what can be best described as an album of musical theater as it brings to attention issues of the African Diaspora, Indigenous people and various other social-political issues of the Progressive Left.
Musically, the team features vocals (usually spoken) by Kelsey Robinson, Nejman Nefertiti, Gizelxanath, Marina Celander and Drew Bayura along with a chorus. Conducted by Federico Garcia-De Castro, the five member rhythm section teams with the Asian tones from the string quartet along with Ben Opie/as leading the sax section along with a three member percussion discussion.
The seventeen acts of music and voice range between a choir as on “Overture of the Sword,” deep reeds teamed with voice for “Orchid Mantis” a mix of blues on “The Sisters Unite” a soulful soprano sax for “Stoneflower Requiem” and some lovely Asian themes and colors for “The Four Mirrored Butterfly.” Japanese flute tones on “Mulberry Tree” float like cherry blossoms. The speaking, poetry and vocal renditions are all passionate concerning Social Justice, making this recording (or theatre) a good starting point for conversations, in which we can compare these American tragedies with those from other countries such as Genghis Kahn’s China, Japan’s rape on Nanking, Montezuma’s making slaves of rival tribes and the Arabs creating a slave trade with African warlords.