Song of the Day: E.J. Strickland - Language Of The Unheard

World-class drummer and composer E.J. Strickland unveil his new single Language Of The Unheard, from the collaborative album Black Lives - from Generation to Generation.

He recorded the song with an all-star line-up of new stars of contemporary jazz - Joel Ross on vibraphone, Immanuel Wilkins on alto saxophone, Lydia Harrell on vocals, Mike King on piano, organ, fender rhodes, Ben Williams on acoustic bass, and himself on drums.

When I wrote Language Of The Unheard, I wanted to encapsulate the manifestation of frustration felt by the black community after not being heard by America after centuries of peacefully asking for civil rights, liberty, and justice as our Constitution promises, says E.J. Strickland.

Black Lives - from Generation to Generation is a collective of artists who are continuing to fight for equality and social justice through music. 25 musicians from the United States, Caribbean and Africa each compose a song to fight against systemic racism in the world. The 25 composers are between 20 and 80 years old and are known for their work as leaders but also their collaboration with world-famous artists from the 60‘s until today. The album which is set to be released on 25th March 2022 will feature: Immanuel Wilkins, David Gilmore, Marque Gilmore, Stephanie McKay, Reggie Washington, Jeremy Pelt, Grégory Privat, Marcus Strickland, E.J. Strickland, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, and many more.

Listen to E.J. Strickland new single Language Of The Unheard, from the collaborative album Black Lives - from Generation to Generation:

Musicians on the album come from the United States, Caribbean and Africa and their songs draw on many influences, such as African music, hip-hop, jazz, funk, rock, fusion, rap, jungle, nu-jazz, soul, blues, Caribbean jazz, opera, classical music, poetry. This project brings together more than 60 musicians, who play a large variety of instruments: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, vibraphone, guitar, drums, bass, vocals, piano, keyboards, turntables, ka drums, n’goni, djembe and tama. There is even a choir from Mali, composed of girls 7 to 13 years of age. On this album, you will listen to brothers, twins, a father and a son, a couple, a mother and son, old friends, that's why the album is called Black Lives - from Generation to Generation.

Watch below video to E.J. Strickland new single Language Of The Unheard, from the collaborative album Black Lives - from Generation to Generation: