Consumerism is a track coming out on the eve of Ms. Hill's release. She wanted to get this music out while she was incarcerated, as it is a product of the space she was in while she was going through some of the challenges she has been faced with recently.

Available now on iTunes: http://bit.ly/MLH_C
Lyrics: http://mslaurynhill.tumblr.com/post/63565382195
 
"Consumerism is part of some material I was trying to finish before I had to come in. We did our best to eek out a mix via verbal and emailed direction, thanks to the crew of surrogate ears on the other side. Letters From Exile is material written from a certain space, in a certain place. I felt the need to discuss the underlying socio-political, cultural paradigm as I saw it. I haven't been able to watch the news too much recently, so I'm not hip on everything going on. But inspiration of this sort is a kind of news in and of itself, and often times contains an urgency that precedes what happens. I couldn't imagine it not being relevant. Messages like these I imagine find their audience, or their audience finds them, like water seeking it's level." 

- Ms. Lauryn Hill

Consumerism

Ms. Lauryn Hill - Consumerism

I've been a-scramblin', selling money to fools for a pocket full of moss. Flat-top hazard reels - you can smell them when they fry. Flat-top hazard reels - waking you up in time for to see the marble sky.

Marble Sky

It Breaks Me (Full Demo)

Ruth Nichols - Vocals, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Josh Petree - Guitar
Steve Knurek - Upright Bass
Evan Spurlock - Drums
Recorded by Jordan Barnett of Red Room Recording
March 9th, 2015

PDA - John Legend

Rhythmic Quaternary was composed by Rae Diamond for the Long Tone Choir in 2014. This recording was performed by the Cornelius Cardew Choir, directed by Tom Bickley, and the Percussion & Improvisation Ensemble, led by Jennifer Wilsey, during a rehearsal at Sonoma State University in April 2015.

Rhythmic Quaternary

We wrote and recorded this track right after Trayvon Martin was murdered by racist George Zimmerman and acquitted by the ridiculous stand your ground law in Stanford, Florida and the banning of ethnic studies of in Arizona. 

Arizona Goddamn(Unmastered)

The Long Ride West

I wrote this song in September, 2014. I was feeling particularly annoyed about the cycle of politicians making crazy promises on the campaign trail, and then essentially ignoring those promises once in office. Politicians complain about how citizens don't trust the political process, but why would you blame us? Trust us, Mr. Powerful, and (only then) we'll trust you.

I wish there were more Ms. (or Mx!) Powerfuls in office I could appeal to (there are more and more every election, which is great), but it's the Mr. Powerfuls who keep failing us over and over. Send this song to your representatives!

Fear

Mr. Powerful

This was my third and final project in Electronic Music Techniques class at Western Michigan University in the fall of 2012.  "Vick's Viral Vaseline" is the outcome of me messing around with MIDI (and only MIDI) for the first time. The project assignment was to create a MIDI piece, along with many specific requirements dealing with features in Logic and "smart editing." 

I had a blast playing with all of the different MIDI plug-ins that Logic had to offer and spent countless hours adjusting effect parameters. The only place I could work on my project was in a fairly small computer lab in the music school, which had inconvenient open hours and was usually filled with loud students. The biggest problem about working there, though, was that I kept crashing the computer I'd work on -even after changing memory space settings and opening my file in different ways. Eventually, a few days before my project was due, I was given access to the special Electronic Music Lab for student composers. I stayed up working on my project in the electronic music lab until 3:30 a.m. the night before my project was premiered in class during the final exam period at 10 a.m.  I didn't/don't consider this piece to be finished at all, but I also don't feel like putting any more effort into it any time soon.

I spent two weeks in bed fighting a virus and a sinus infection soon after starting this project. I felt weak, tired, bored, and lonely during my many hours of sickness in my bedroom, and tried Vicks VapoRub for a little relief. All of those things combined create the mood I experience in this piece. 

Vick's Viral Vaseline

A new piece for Candlemas, retelling the story of the Presentation in the Temple, retold from the point of view of the prophetess Anna. For SATB choir with some brief divisi to SSAATTBB.

Music by Chris Hutchings, words by Euan Tait, performed by St Andrew's Church Choir Denver, conducted by Tim Krueger.

Anna, surprised:
Anna consumed by song,
prophet who had not seen
how wing-sweep and strange
the holy is, the Divine
a baby given, presented
like any little child; Anna,
sharpened by laughter
and rough-edge awareness,
surprised, swept up
in Simeon’s reckless ecstasy,
that this Child was the end,
the final wisp of the smoke
of all his prayers, the light
to lighten the human heart
and God’s final yes to his life,
yes, you may now depart, run
to your wild-water Amen.

Words: rights reserved, used by permission of Euan Tait - https://euantait.com/

For a perusal copy of the score, see http://www.hutchingsmusic.co.uk/anna-surprised-a-new-piece-for-candlemas/ . To purchase copies, please contact Chris Hutchings (hutchingsmusic@hotmail.com).

Anna, Surprised

Do you find classical boring? Take a listen!

Mr. Powerful

Tonic Dominant

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