Ninja Tune & Synchronic Records: Saul Williams
by Ninja Tune
Since Saul Williams recorded debut, "Twice The First Time," this young blood poet, MC and actor/director from America has impressed the world with skilful words and the moral and political weight of his views. When Saul was asked to become involved in the American "Not In Our Name Campaign" he obliged with a powerful message. DJ Spooky, Coldcut and DJ Goo all volunteered their time and wicked beat fuelled flavour to remix this track and support "Not In Our Name."
"I am releasing these songs," states Williams, "because music is perhaps our greatest means of political amassment, because the airwaves are imbalanced and have conditioned us either into a state of apathy or to a state of condoning unjust violence and militarism carried out in our name".
The first MP3 opens with Williams reading the campaign's "Pledge Of Resistance" in front of a live audience at the Art Speaks Concert Against The War at the Palace in Los Angeles on May 12, 2002. This is followed up by two new Williams compositions: "September 12th" and "Bloodletting". The triumvirate of heavyweight beats and breaks remixes from DJ Spooky, Coldcut and France's DJ Goo finish remixes of "Not In My Name" taking the vocals to a completely urbanised beat complementing the urgent poetic message.
We could talk some more about the mixes, but instead check out a message put with real power and moral outrage and decide for yourself whether it makes any difference.
Ninja Tune & Synchronic Records (DJ Spooky's label) are jointly releasing this for Europe and North America, but not until March.
"If we only see what they want us to see, We'll only be what they want us to be - Fighting in their army" - September 12th (www.notinournamemusic.com)
Direct to file media streams & free MP3 download hyperlinks:
'Pledge Of Resistance (original)'
Real Audio - Windows Media Audio
'Pledge Of Resistance (original)'
Real Video - Windows Media Video
'September 12th (original)'
Real Audio - Windows Media Audio - MP3
'Bloodletting (original)'
Real Audio - Windows Media Audio - MP3
'Pledge Of Resistance (DJ Spooky remix)'
Real Audio - Windows Media Audio - MP3
'Pledge Of Resistance (Coldcut remix)'
Real Audio - Windows Media Audio - MP3
'Pledge Of Resistance (DJ Goo remix)'
Real Audio - Windows Media Audio - MP3
Many thanks to the ninja's at 'NinjaTune' for supplying this special feature. If you would like more information regarding these artists, or this label I would highly recommend checking out www.ninjatune.net.
