Description
Inspired by the world building, Afrofuturist radicalism of the novel Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, the latest Trippers & Askers LP Acorn blends spiritual jazz and traditional styles in ways that pose fundamental questions about the nature of American music. With cover art from acclaimed comic artist John Jennings – whose work includes multiple graphic novel adaptations of Butlers work – this concept album ushers the listener through the narrative of the novel as it pertains to the very real political and emotional challenges of the present.
Parable of the Sower was written in the 1990s and set in 2020s U.S. when society has collapsed for everyone but the super wealthy due to climate change, wealth inequality, religious fundamentalism, and corporate greed. The protagonist a woman named Lauren Olamina embodies a kind of radical hope that has nothing to do with denial. In fact, its a kind of hope that can only spring from the fact that she understands the severity of her and her communitys situation better than anyone else. Its a hope that is anchored by a religion that she creates called Earthseed, a way of seeing the world that many contemporary black feminist activists and musicians such as adrienne maree brown, Toshi Reagon and so many others havetaken up as a spiritual roadmap toward liberation from an increasingly unacceptable present.
Side A of Acorn deals with the childhood of humanity on earth, with the discovery of Earthseed ushering us to the stars. Side B deals with a sweet, sad and terrifying adulthood that is oriented toward the creation of the first Earthseed community, Acorn. An album based on the second novel in the series, Parable of the Talents, is in process.
Acorn was recorded primarily in Durham, North Carolina, and features some of the areas finest including Andy Stack (Wye Oak, Joyero), Joseph OConnell (Elephant Micah), Joe Westerlund (Califone, Megafaun), former Sun Ra member Ken Moshesh. Here are some words on the album from songwriter, friend and fellow traveler, Will Stratton.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.