Just got latest timely cd from pioneering dub poet ,Rastafarian and fervent campaigner for social justice issues Benjamin Zephaniah through the post entitled Revolutionary Minds his first foray into music for over a decade. It actually was released last year, but have only just managed to get a copy. It really is a tour de force, essential listening for the times we live in, a solid piece of creativity that drives on home messages of hope, liberation, economic and political corruption rampant racism, fascist patriarchy in this world of struggle and desperation.
Zephaniah is strongly influenced by the music and poetry of Jamaica and what he calls "street politics". His poetry, books and plays have captivated hearts and minds, fuelling imaginations and winning him a legion of fans all over the world.Though his music is lesser known than his written work it is no less fervent. Created alongside his accomplished producer and collaborator The Sea, 'Revolutionary Minds' album is a deep selection of dub-reggae juggernauts, the essence and style of which fully reinforce the messages projected through Zephaniah's powerful lyrics and strong righteous rhymes it really paints a picture of the world we live in right now.
The first track Earth Liberation Sound gets the ball rolling, as Benjamin speaks on civil odedience and the impact it has had in the past and the present,with presence of a youthful voice chanting about revolutionary minds.
The following track Revolutionary Minds is essentially the heart of the record, speaking on issues such as "women shall not be property" and "no one shall be judged by the color of their skin." in which the actor Matt Damon reads the words of the late American historian and activist Howard Zinn. "The problem is not civil disobedience, the problem is civil obedience."
The next track President is a strong message aimed at the presidents of the world, describing the outcome of their hostile laws and policies.It is abundently clear who Sephaniah has foremost in mind when he unleashes his anger "Dear Mister President, you suck presidentially. Just run, run as slowy as you can, and take your arms trade with you."
More Animal Writes speaks about the environment we live amidst corrupt cops and their arbitrariness.
Cool Piece speaks about the conditions affecting women through violence and the impact of street life.
In the song 'In This World, he makes it perfectly clear that most dangerous thingin the world is not beinga revolutionary, but it is in our passivity;"We live in a world where they say we communicate more, but.the world stayed silent when the slave trade was making money, the world stayed silent when the Nazis started to kill trade unionists, people with disabilities, homosexuals, left-handed people and Jews, and now in the age of the global village and mass communications, the world is staying silent as the Palestinians are annihiliated."
In the poem What Srephen Lawrence Has Taught Us, originally witten in 1999. the artist reminds his listeners of the death of the young British man who was mudered in 1993.https://teifidancer-teifidancer.blogspot.com/2012/01/benjamin-zephaniah-b150858-what-stephen.html This case unveiled institutanised racism in Britain and questioned the judicial practice of double jeapordy with regard to murder cases. With incidents of police violence still happening, it reminds us that we are still witnessing a never-ending tragic cycle. Almost 25 years later his murder reminds us that we live in a world where freedom and justice are not rights that can be taken for granted.
One of the greatest poets of his generation, who has published 24 books, he still delivers and packs a mighty punch with his profound truth, who still manages to hold his heart on his sleeves. Revolutionary Minds is the soundtrack to the modern revolutionist, that will make you feel empowered, hopeful, galvanised to make a difference and get up and dance,whilst helping us mash down babylon. Try and get hold of it if you can, you will not be disappointed.The CD is accompanied by a 12 page booklet of Zephaniah's intensely conscious lyrics, allowing for his work to be read as poetry in addition to being enjoyed as songs.
At a seemingly tumultuous and divisive period in our society, 'Revolutionary Minds' revitalises the neglected art of the protest song. By reviving this discipline at this particular point in time, Zephaniah shines a critical light on to a range of activity that currently is taking place around the globe, providing a strong voice to the disenfranchised and displaced. One can listen or buy a copy here ;-;https://benjaminzephaniah.com/
His autobiography The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah is also out now, which is a truly extraordinary life story which celebrates the power of poetry and the importance of pushing boundaries with the arts. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Rhymes-Benjamin-Zephaniah-Autobiography/dp/1471168921
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