An estimated 24,000 new songs get released every day. Yet no artist or label has conceived the album-length single before, where one song and theme is reimagined multiple times as a cohesive, collaborative release. Today, Highest Frequency Records announces just that with the March 5, 2021 release of Book of One by Light Warriors.
The Connecticut-based ensemble embraces a message of global unity and positivity on the album’s original single “One”, which is then reworked and reimagined eight times over, featuring guest appearances by indiginous poet and activist Lyla June Johnston, Ruff Scott of Easy Star All-Stars, Ghana’s Kwadjo Spiri, Ethiopian reggae artist Sydney Salmon, and more.
One, volume of unity;
One, divine light shining individually;
One, collectively transforming community;
One, peace in our human family.
“It’s as much an audio essay about oneness as it is a unified musical statement from international artists calling for oneness,” said Erik Rabasca, founding member of Light Warriors and owner of Highest Frequency Records. “These are not remixes, but rather reconstructions that share meditations on topics of unity, inter-spirituality, generational cycles, transformation and, yes, oneness.”
Light Warriors originally released “One” as a Bandcamp-only single on Juneteenth 2020 in the wake of George Floyd’s death and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests. The group then donated its proceeds to NAACP Legal Defense Fund and The Brotherhood/Sister Sol, a social justice development organization offering supportive programs for Black and Latino youth in impoverished communities. The original Juneteenth version of “One” has since been remixed and reworked into nine new versions on Book of One, covering a range of styles from hip-hop, reggae and funk to trap, dub, dance and improvisation.
Light Warriors’ innovative release celebrates Connecticut’s diverse music community and showcases longtime artist relationships as well as newer ones that the group established during a delegation to Ethiopia for interspiritual harmony. The unifying trait among all artists featured on the record is service — service to music, to the collective good of the community and to charities hoping to affect the world through positive change.
In kind with that philosophy, a portion of proceeds from Book of One will benefit WhyHunger, Harry Chapin’s nonprofit organization that strives to end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food and by supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment.
Originally formed as a solo project in 2016 by vocalist and guitarist Rabasca in New York City, Light Warriors now features band members Steven Jean Baptiste (drums), Kris Brewer (saxophone), Jamar Jabari (percussion and vocals), Karen Johnstone (keyboards and vocals), Liz Page (percussion and vocals) and Angel Sanchez (bass). Together, the ensemble discovers an ancient-to-future synthesis of influences that blend rock, funk and reggae with global indie sensibilities to create a sound uniquely their own.
Upcoming Live Performances:
March 21 - Eco-Conscious Music Alliance - SXSW After-Party Livestream
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