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Hostile Cordiality

Hostile Cordiality (Single Edit)

written by RAY CURENTON
produced by RAY CURENTON & PAUL MAYO
recorded at 34 MSE (Nashville, TN)
mixed by PAUL MAYO with assistance by BRANDON ADAMS
mastered by STEVE CORRAO at Sage Audio (Nashville, TN)

Honesty

Honesty (Acapella Version)

It took me months to perfect "Make It with Me" because I knew this song was not just a simple love song, but a globally-relevant, Gospel-inspired message of hope. Recording the choir & musicians, and working with engineers like Dave Harris and Grammy-winner Jon Blass, was a deeply transcendent experience. The promotional trail involves an upcoming music video, writer’s night performances in Nashville venues like the legendary Bluebird Cafe, cross-genre radio promotion, and targeted advertising.

Make It with Me
Written by Manasseh Ray Curenton-Dillinger, Brandon Adams & Tim Dillinger-Curenton
Produced by Ray Curenton and Brandon Adams
Vocals co-produced by Tim Dillinger
Programming and instruments by Ray Curenton and Brandon Adams
Guitars: Brandon Adams
Additional Keys: Malcolm Dean
Organ: Alton Gibson
Choir: Brandon Adams, Kweli Buckner, Kyra Curenton, Ray Curenton, Robin Curenton, Tim Dillinger
Recorded at: The Dungeon (Nashville, TN), Sweetbriar Recording Studio (Nashville, TN) and Moja’s House (Antioch, TN)
Recording Engineers: Eric Westmaas and Brandon Adams
Mixed by Jon Blass
Mix Assistant: Jesse Lavigne
Mastered by Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering, Charlotte, NC

Lyrics:
Wandered through the wilderness on faith
Burdened by the dying rule, and haunted by the wraith
The fabric of trust now bears a stain
Seems as if every attempt to reset was in vain
Every being has a cross to bear
And I know you’ve been crucified and left the worse for wear
But faced with these dehumanizing stares
Would you join hands with me to answer our own prayers?

For when it feels you’re under lock and key
Our love will pave the path towards free
And though I know life holds no guarantees
It could be great if you make it with me

Everybody else is unconcerned
Value shaped by stinginess and hoarding the unearned
I asked before if all of this is learned
Feeble misconstructed hearth that brought about my burn
Buried in a tomb and cast astray
Something else to be so unmade: dust returned from the clay
So as I work to roll the stone away
Would you break bread with me, join me in the fray?

For when you lose sight of what this could be
I’ll dry those eyes that you might see
And though a dream’s not yet reality
Imagine anything, make it with me

Yes, we have had a heavy cross to bear
Faced many dehumanizing stares
Buried in a tomb and cast astray
Laboring to roll the stone away
A mighty tough row to hoe these several years
But the object is closer than it appears
I can sketch the pictures held in your mind
Already designed

For when it feels you’re under lock and key
Our love will pave the path towards free
And though I know life holds no guarantees
It could be great if you make it with me
For when you lose sight of what this could be
I’ll dry those eyes that you might see
And though a dream’s not yet reality
Imagine anything, make it with me
It could be great if you make it with me
Don’t be afraid of change, make it with me

Ooo, make it with me
You can make it with me
Yea I know this road might get a little rough sometimes
And I know you may not understand it all sometimes
But if you hold on, hold on
Just hold on, my sister and
Hold on, my brother and
Hold on, my family
Hold on, my friend
You can just take my hand
And we’ll make it to the promised land
Make it, just make it with me
We can make it whatever you need it to be
Come on, walk with me
Imagine anything
We can, yes we can
We will, yes we will
We’ll make it, yes we will
We’ll make it, yes we will
I’m getting happy just thinking about this thing

Make It with Me

Written by Manasseh Ray Curenton-Dillinger and Brandon Adams
Produced by Brandon Adams and Ray Curenton
Vocals co-produced by Tim Dillinger
Programming and instruments by Ray Curenton and Brandon Adams
Guitars: Brandon Adams
Additional background vocals: Tim Dillinger
Recorded at: The Dungeon (Nashville, TN) and Moja’s House (Antioch, TN)
Mixed by Ryan DeRemer
Mastered by Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering, Charlotte, NC

Aroundabout

Written by Manasseh Ray Curenton-Dillinger, Brandon Adams, and Louis Corbet
Produced by Brandon Adams and Ray Curenton
Vocals co-produced by Tim Dillinger
Programming and instruments by Ray Curenton and Brandon Adams
Guitars: Brandon Adams
Saxophones: David Williford
Trumpet: Zachery Douglas
Background Vocals: Kweli Buckner, Ray Curenton, Robin Curenton, Tim Dillinger
Recorded at: The Dungeon (Nashville, TN), Sweetbriar Recording Studio (Nashville, TN), Moja’s House (Antioch, TN), and Quarter to Nine Productions (Hyde Park, NY)
Recording Engineers: Eric Westmaas, Brandon Adams, and Bryce Anthony Eckwall
Mixed by Ryan DeRemer
Mastered by Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering, Charlotte, NC

It's Not Too Late

It's Not Too Late (feat. LC)

Written by Manasseh Ray Curenton-Dillinger and Brandon Adams
Produced by Brandon Adams and Ray Curenton
Vocals co-produced by Tim Dillinger
Programming and instruments by Ray Curenton and Brandon Adams
Guitars: Brandon Adams
Additional Keys: Malcolm Dean
Recorded at: The Dungeon (Nashville, TN) and Moja’s House (Antioch, TN)
Mixed by Blake Eiseman
Mastered by Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering, Charlotte, NC

[Chorus]
I really want to see you
I want to get right to the core
Just to become your essence
And to know you more and more
I long to be enlightened
Your wisdom is what I strive for
To know we’re in accordance
And to know you more and more

[Verse 1]
I am a student of life, with an insatiable appetite
An ever-seeking heart in the fight, the pursuit of right
Take me inside the depths of your mind that reveal my confines
That my limits may be redefined to expand my shine

[Prechorus 1]
Then, when I’m down and out
Cus I’ve lost my way
Will you take my hand
And lead me back from stray?
And when I’m cornered by
Those who would do harm
Will you pull me up
In your loving arms?

[Chorus]
I really want to see you
I want to get right to the core
Just to become your essence
And to know you more and more
I long to be enlightened
Your wisdom is what I strive for
To know we’re in accordance
And to know you more and more

[Verse 2]
Such beautiful moments pulled away from the depressive day-to-day
Permitting engagement in elevation to a rightful plane
I treasure every gift that stimulates and encourages my play
Requesting that I take part in the advancement of this human brain

[Prechorus 2]
So when the lonely hours
Bring despondency
I will turn to you
For my clarity
And with my head held high
I will seek your face
And be consumed in your embrace

[Chorus]
I really want to see you
I want to get right to the core
Just to become your essence
And to know you more and more
I long to be enlightened
Your wisdom is what I strive for
To know we’re in accordance
And to know you more and more

[Dialogue]
In the margins of the pages of life
I uncover the true nature of the absolute
The knowledge isn’t out of reach
In fact, it all lies within me

[Chorus]
I really want to see you
I want to get right to the core
Just to become your essence
And to know you more and more
I really want to see you
I want to get right to the core
Just to become your essence
And to know you more and more
I long to be enlightened
Your wisdom is what I strive for
To know we’re in accordance
And to know you more and more

Knowledge

from Believer, a​.​k​.​a. The Last Shall Be the First, releases June 2, 2023
Written by Manasseh Ray Curenton-Dillinger and Brandon Adams
Produced by Brandon Adams and Ray Curenton
Vocals co-produced by Tim Dillinger
Programming and instruments by Ray Curenton and Brandon Adams
Guitars: Brandon Adams
Additional Keys: Malcolm Dean
Recorded at: The Dungeon (Nashville, TN) and Moja’s House (Antioch, TN)
Mixed by Jon Blass
Mix Assistant: Jesse Lavigne
Mastered by Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering, Charlotte, NC

[Intro]
You know sometimes
Life gets to getting good
And it just takes me over like
I…feel…so…free!

[Hook]
You are my refuge and strength
In times of trouble, times of trouble
You are my refuge and strength
In times of trouble, times of trouble

[Verse 1]
I don’t ever have to worry
I know that you’re there
You are constantly caring for me
And I don’t ever have to fret, no
I don’t have to fear
You always supply my every need
I don’t set high expectation (on people, I tend to act much more discreet)
But in you, I find foundation (you place me back upon my feet)

[Hook]
You are my refuge and strength
In times of trouble, times of trouble
You are my refuge and strength
In times of trouble, times of trouble

[Verse 2]
Whenever I’m in need of help
You are present
You’re right here in every circumstance
So I take that in and be still
Dependableness
Much too true to all just be by chance
When I’m met with tribulation (you show up and tell the floods and quakes to cease)
You extend an invitation (to be with you in holy peace)

[Hook]
You are my refuge and strength
In times of trouble, times of trouble
You are my refuge and strength
In times of trouble, times of trouble

[Bridge]
Through the perils of life
You bring wondrous light
I’m amazed at all your love answers for
In your harboring
How astonishing
Your abundant grace to mend and restore

[Hook]
You are my refuge and strength
In times of trouble, times of trouble
You are my refuge and strength
In times of trouble, times of trouble

Refuge + Strength

from Believer, a​.​k​.​a. The Last Shall Be the First, releases June 2, 2023
Written by Manasseh Ray Curenton-Dillinger, Brandon Adams, and Tim Dillinger-Curenton
Produced by Brandon Adams and Ray Curenton
Vocals co-produced by Tim Dillinger
Programming and instruments by Ray Curenton and Brandon Adams
Guitars: Brandon Adams
Organ: Alton Gibson
Saxophones: David Williford
Trumpet: Zachery Douglas
Background Vocals: Kweli Buckner, Ray Curenton, Robin Curenton, Tim Dillinger
Recorded at: The Dungeon (Nashville, TN), Sweetbriar Recording Studio (Nashville, TN) and Moja’s House (Antioch, TN)
Recording Engineers: Eric Westmaas and Brandon Adams
Mixed by Brandon Adams
Mastered by Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering, Charlotte, NC

Lyrics:
I need to believe it
And what I feel can't be downplayed
Cus this life that we're given
Is overdue for an upgrade
I know there must be something greater
It's on the way sooner or later
But of this I am certain
I know it best not be delayed

(Don't you want to go?) And I don't need streets paved with gold
(Don't you want to go?) Don't need great prophecies foretold
(Don't you want to go?) I need peace, land and bread
Where there's no more death
And life's actually worth living
(I wanna go) Be reunited with my father
(I wanna go) And no one's greater than the other
(I wanna go) I, I, I, I wanna get
Wanna get, gotta get to that better place
I, I wanna get
Wanna get, gotta get to that better place

No hunger, no diseases
The end of poverty and war
The thought of no oppression
Is what I'm breathing for
I'm over wages for my labor
Why can't I just trust in my neighbor?
Where discovery and wonder
Is right outside my own front door

(Don't you want to go?) And I don't need streets paved with gold
(Don't you want to go?) Don't need great prophecies foretold
(Don't you want to go?) I need peace, land and bread
Where there is no more death
And life's actually worth living
(I wanna go) Be reunited with my father
(I wanna go) And no one's greater than the other
(I wanna go) I, I, I, I wanna get
Wanna get, gotta get to that better place
I, I, I, I wanna get
Wanna get, gotta get to that better place

Now look here, see, the thing is
If we're gonna see this thing then we gotta be about this thing
We gotta manifest this thing, you know?
So follow me like
Yea, I wanna go to that better place, yea
I gotta get to that better place
(I wanna go to that better place, yea
I gotta get to that better place)

I wanna go to that better place
I gotta get to that better place
(I wanna go to that better place
I gotta get to that better place)
I wanna go to that better place
I gotta get to that better place
(I wanna go to that better place
I gotta get to that better place)

Believer, a.k.a. The Last Shall Be the First

Better Place

from Believer, a​.​k​.​a. The Last Shall Be the First, releases June 2, 2023
Written by Manasseh Ray Curenton-Dillinger, Brandon Adams, and Christian “Civil” DeJesus
Produced by Brandon Adams and Ray Curenton
Vocals co-produced by Tim Dillinger
Programming and instruments by Ray Curenton and Brandon Adams
Guitars: Brandon Adams
Saxophones: David Williford
Trumpet: Zachery Douglas
Recorded at: The Dungeon (Nashville, TN) and Moja’s House (Antioch, TN)
Mixed by Brandon Adams
Mastered by Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering, Charlotte, NC

Lyrics:
It's a matter of truth
And our people being robbed of youth
It's a matter of strife
And what matters most is we have life

They don't build it by themselves
Then don't share with no one else
On their own won't make it right
Have to fix it with our might

Sounding the fire bell!
Cue amplifiers' yell!
Together we're stronger
So what are we waiting for?
End occupier's spell!
Tear down empire's hell!
Can't take it no longer?
Then what are we waiting for?

If it's a matter of love
Then we should work to make what we speak of
If it's a matter of time
Well then the commitment should fit the crime

Graven images of greed
Keep us all from what we need
If we never signal change
It will become more deranged

Sounding the fire bell!
Cue amplifiers' yell!
Together we're stronger
So what are we waiting for?
End occupier's spell!
Tear down empire's hell!
Can't take it no longer?
Then what are we waiting for?

Sounding the fire bell!
Cue amplifiers' yell!
Together we're stronger
So what are we waiting for?
End occupier's spell!
Tear down empire's hell!
Can't take it no longer?
Then what are we waiting for?

They don't build it by themselves
Then don't share with no one else
Fighting for access to health
As conditions kill in stealth
On their own won't make the change
They just do not have the range
Take up arms and stake a claim
Stop the reign in Jesus' name

Uh, Civil
How long is how long?
They keep the pile-on
Wearing kicks you can't even put a mile on
I ain't never been the type to call bygones
See the vision
Freedom I got my eye on
There's a lot of this co-opting and appropriating
Skin folks get bought out, and I don't have the patience
Phobias and -isms create these mental prisons
Division that's placed on us and stop our living
We manipulated
We be punchin down
Crabs in a barrel instead of rising to snatch the crown
And I ain't backin down
A mix of Sandinistas
And I'm Black and I'm proud
Done with later, it happens now
Ain't tryna eat solo, I want us at the table
Time to rage against the machine and snatch the cable
You don't see it Holmes but your time is coming too
When they done coming for us they gonna come for you

Sounding the fire bell!
Cue amplifiers' yell!
Together we're stronger
So what are we waiting for?
End occupier's spell!
Tear down empire's hell!
Can't take it no longer?
Then what are we waiting for?

Sounding the fire bell!
Cue amplifiers' yell!
Together we're stronger
So what are we waiting for?
End occupier's spell!
Tear down empire's hell!
Can't take it no longer?
Then what are we waiting for?

No Empires (feat. April Rucker & Civil)

No Empires! (feat. April Rucker & Civil)

from the album Backslider https://raycurenton.bandcamp.com/album/backslider

produced by Paul Mayo & Ray Curenton 
coproduced by Brandon Adams

Abomination

Abomination (featuring Trez)

from the album Backslider https://raycurenton.bandcamp.com/album/backslider

produced by Paul Mayo & Ray Curenton

Binary

from the album Backslider raycurenton.bandcamp.com/album/backslider

produced by Paul Mayo & Ray Curenton
guitar: James Seascape

Elegance

from the album Backslider https://smarturl.it/raythebackslider

produced by Paul Mayo & Ray Curenton

Holding On

Spiritual R&B artist. Cohost of Outlaw’s Evidence of the Unseen. ½ of Imagination Fury Arts. Black liberationist. Cultural worker. Songwriter. 🌈  he/him
https://imaginationfuryarts.ck.page/raycurenton

Ray Curenton

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