Led by composer, writer, philosopher and saxist, Shabaka Hutchings, the Sons Of Kemet bring forth musical messages and social observations in a way to mix genres and worldviews. The team hear includes poets like Moor Mother, Joshua Idehen and D Double E, while the music is delivered by percussionists Edie Wakili-Hick, Tom Skinner, tuba man Theo Cross and Hutchings on a variety of woodwinds, with guest saxist Steve Williamson adding solos and texture.
The key with this band is in the mix, as there are multiple layers of pulses, harmonies and messages to wade through. Lots of “Social Justice” and racial awareness is discussed, with a raspy voice rapping about “plantations” along with some tenor soloing on “Field Negor” all the way through the shrieking saxes of “Black”. Hectic tribal beats and chants make uip “Pick Up Your Burning” and a wall of musical sound surrounds the ricocheting beats of “For The Culture”. African winds blow through “In Remembrance of Those Fallen” with calypso’d reeds on “Think Of Home” and VOX messages with tuba backing mixing with urban legends on “Hustle”.
There is a plethora of albums coming out lately discussing racial issues and “racism”. It reminds me of something that Morgan Freeman once said when asked how to stop American racism, to which he simply replied, “stop talking about it.”