A4A (Artists 4 Artists) Records presents Healing in Harmony: Remix Vol. 1 by Afora – OUT NOVEMBER 20
Global collective of world-class engineers takes a stand in the fight against injustice by reimagining songs by marginalized artists
NOVEMBER 12, 2020 (TORONTO, ON) – A new artist collective known as Afora releases its debut album Healing in Harmony: Remix Vol. 1 on November 20. Mastered by Grammy winner Emily Lazar (The Lodge, NYC), the project brings together remixers from around the world, reimagining original songs by A4A’s roster of artists who have emerged from the Healing in Harmony program for trauma survivors.
Afora includes members of A4A’s community of mixing and mastering engineers who donate their time to A4A’s nonprofit partner Make Music Matter – an organization that helps survivors of sexual and political violence, refugees, and others living in extreme poverty and conflict to heal through its innovative Healing in Harmony music therapy model.
A4A Music co-founder producer David Bottrill (Smashing Pumpkins, Tool) describes the collaboration as the realization of years of developing the Healing in Harmony program and a celebration of the advocacy of the artists. He says, “Afora are helping to amplify the voices of our marginalized artists as they speak out for their rights in the face of adversity.”
“Afora are helping to amplify the voices of our marginalized artists as they speak out for their rights in the face of adversity.”
David Bottrill, A4A Music co-founder
The songs reflect powerful messages of hope and resilience and touch on topics including identity, discrimination, and daily survival. Toronto producer James Bunton (Donovan Woods, David Myles) who remixed the track Soma (‘Education’ in Swahili) explains, “I was immediately drawn to the message of the lyrics and the celebratory feel of the instrumental.”
Mal R of London-based electronic production duo LiiN who chose to remix Sirudi Nyuma explains, “I was drawn to this track primarily for the vocals and the way it combined a strong melody with a solid rhythm. The fact it translates as ‘I will not despair’ and comes with such a powerful message adds another depth to the music.”
“I was drawn to this track primarily for the vocals and the way it combined a strong melody with a solid rhythm. The fact it translates as ‘I will not despair’ and comes with such a powerful message adds another depth to the music.”
Mal R (LiiN from London, UK)
Throughout the album, original music from the Congo is filtered through futuristic European sounds of the UK and Portugal while children’s voices from Turkey are blended with a Southern feel from Florida.
The result is a beautiful bridging of cultures and a reminder of the universal healing power of music.
“My goal with the remix was to give the song a sense of empowerment. I wanted it to feel like a moment of transition from tragedy,” says participating LA-based producer Ronan Chris Murphy (Gwar, King Crimson).
“My goal with the remix was to give the song a sense of empowerment. I wanted it to feel like a moment of transition from tragedy.”
Ronan Chris Murphy (Los Angeles, USA)
Remixer Beijo International of Porto Portugal hopes the album serves as a reminder that “American or British music isn’t more valid than the music of other countries.”
Healing in Harmony: Remix Vol. 1 will be available on all major digital platforms on Friday, November 20 through A4A Records, with distribution through Warner Music Canada.
Tracklist:
- Soma (‘Education’) – James Bunton Remix
- Nita Jipa Raha (‘I Make My Own Happiness’) – Nino D. Celella Remix
- Sirudi Nyuma (‘I Will Not Despair’) – LiiN Remix
- Kazi (‘Work’) – Robbie Grunwald Remix
- Je dois rester forte (‘I Must Stay Strong’) – Dan Harden Remix
- Lanes of Bee Wax – Howard “Merlin” Wulkan Remix
- Peace Is Love – Stewart Turcan Remix
- Mon corps n’est pas une arme (‘My Body is Not a Weapon’) – Verny Scholtz Remix
- Mauwaji (‘Massacre’) – Ronan Chris Murphy Remix
- Matokeo Ya Vita (‘Consequences of War’) – Beijo International Remix
- Njo Tu Maisha (‘This is Life’) – Kevin Doyle Remix
- Mwanga Mkononi (‘The Light in the Hand’) – Nick Page Remix
- Il y a encore de l’espoir (‘There is Still Hope’) – Georges Mupemba Remix
- Nsiga Amavuta (‘Oil’) – Filho Da Terra Remix
About A4A Records & Publishing:
A4A (Artists for Artists) Records is home to recordings from Make Music Matter’s innovative music therapy program Healing in Harmony for trauma survivors. In partnership with Warner Music Canada, songs are made available on all major digital platforms. Find out more about A4A’s nonprofit partner Make Music Matter.
Through a groundbreaking publishing model created in partnership with SOCAN, A4A Publishing is able to collect royalties on behalf of artists living in extreme poverty and conflict zones and 100% of royalties are sent back to the artist community.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Heine Nielsen
Publishing Manager, A4A Music
heine (at) a4amusic (dot) com
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