Societal Regression w/ Medicine Intro
Elijah Jamal Balbed, Joseph Webb
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The Karma Suite was written by Saxophonist and Composer Elijah Jamal Balbed. Elijah grew up in and around Washington, DC, however for a long time he didn't pay much attention to what was going on in the various government buildings Downtown. However, the recent few years have opened Elijah's eyes to the importance of being politically informed. The Karma Suite is Elijah's first full-length piece that is primarily inspired by political and social events.
Societal Regression is the first movement of suite - written shortly before Donald J Trump won the 2016 election. This song was Elijah's response to society regressing before his eyes. A swinging 5/4 feel that transitions into a bluesy groove in 4, this song portrays a range of emotions Elijah felt during this time.
The Intro - Medicine, was written by a multi-talented artist by the name of Joseph Webb. In addition to being a talented poet/songwriter, he is also a phenomenal tap dancer. Joseph weaves in and out of some classic Jazz recordings and artists, reminding us that music is medicine. He also speaks to some deeper struggles as the march ensues, and closes by bringing it back around to one of the pieces of the suite.
lyrics
Medicine
By Joseph Webb
Clifford Brown with Strings,
Naima, My Favorite Things,
Medicine.
In Philly,
Swingin' like Philly Joe,
Roach, and Diz,
Medicine.
Candy, Lighthouse,
Night of the Cookers.
Lee and Freddie,
with the Medicine.
Catch us in the sun,
Soul Station...Hank,
now Dig Dis Medicine.
J Marrakech,
Green Juice, No Apple.
Revolutionary Missionaries,
Allah on my Tongue.
We glorify the struggle,
addicted to the tussle,
melodies that lay hands from the Bandstand,
don't sign no papers regarding land man,
Remember what happened in Manhattan.
Karma on the heels of they walk,
colder than Chicago's hawk
For bitter our suite,
peep this Karma Suite.
Your repetition needs a bridge,
closing loopholes.
Trinity of the chords,
liberating souls.
Songs for Everything Wrong,
roots in my mojo.
Saturday night laid up,
with what we sowed.
credits
released January 24, 2020
THE KARMA SUITE
Intro: Medicine - Elijah Jamal Balbed / Joseph Webb
Mvmt I: Societal Regression - Elijah Jamal Balbed
EJB - Alto Sax
Spoken Word - Joseph Webb
Mark G Meadows - Piano
Ameen Saleem - Bass
Kelton Norris - Drums
Recorded in 2019 at Divine Order Studios
Recording Engineer - Allyn Johnson
Mixing / Mastering - Zach Brown
Saxophonist/Composer Elijah Jamal Balbed is one of the premiere Jazz artists in Washington, DC. Elijah has received several
accolades including "Best New Jazz Musician" & "Best Tenor Saxophonist" by the Washington City Paper. In addition, both of his albums "Lessons From the Streets" and "Checking In" were named among Capital Bop's Top 5 Jazz Albums....more
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