Various Artists – Africatown, AL Ancestor Sounds (PM Press/Free Dirt Records, 2024)
Africatown, AL Ancestor Sounds is a seminal compilation of recordings highlighting the vibrant municipality of Africatown. This community nestled three miles (4.8 kilometers) north of downtown Mobile, Alabama, holds profound historical significance as it encompasses descendants from the Clotilde, the last known slave ship to arrive in the United States.
This visionary, creative production was carried out by Grammy laureate Ian Brennan, recognized for his work with prominent artists such as Tinariwen and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, alongside his partner, the accomplished Italian Rwandan filmmaker and photographer Marilena Umuhoza Delli.
Collaborating closely with the local populace, the project intertwines musical performances with ambient sounds drawn from the industrial backdrop encircling Africatown, a potent commentary on the pervasive environmental injustices confronting the community.
Intended as a nuanced portrayal rather than a rigid historical account, all recordings were meticulously captured on-site, devoid of studio embellishments, reflecting the raw essence of the moment. The outdoor setting vividly captures the juxtaposition of natural beauty with the intrusive cacophony of nearby factories, shedding light on the systemic environmental disparities endured by the residents.
The origin of this project traces back to Brennan’s encounter with a hand-painted sign bearing the words “Alabama Barbershop” during his travels in rural northern Ghana, a poignant reminder of the intertwined legacies of slavery across continents. Serendipitously, a local blues musician in Mobile introduced Brennan to the kologo, a traditional instrument from northern Ghana, which seemed to bridge the geographical and temporal chasms separating Africatown from its West African roots.
These unexpected encounters and evocative “ancestor sounds” serve as touching reminders of the enduring legacy of displacement and resilience, reverberating across centuries and continents. Africatown, AL Ancestor Sounds thus emerges as a profound testament to the enduring spirit and cultural heritage of a community forged in the crucible of adversity.
Buy Africatown, AL Ancestor Sounds.
Author: Sonia Keller
