We've been closely following forward-thinking electronic label RVNG Intl.'s FRKWYS series, which matches up contemporary artists with great acts from the past. Now, the ninth instalment in this collaborative project has been announced, and it brings together modern psych artists Sun Araw and M. Geddes Gengras with reggae greats the Congos.
The collaboration resulted in a full-length album called ICON GIVE THANK and an accompanying making-of documentary film called ICON EYE, both due out April 10.
A press release says this about the collaboration: "The gates opened wide and warmly, the musicians and filmmakers ate, slept and smoked at the Congos' headquarters, their mural-emblazoned studio, home, and spiritual compound. An environment steeped in the Ital lifestyle, Rastafarian reflection and meditation, and a rich community bubbling with musical energy, both young and old artist would an unspoken creative language."
Sun Araw and Gengras apparently worked on some ideas in Los Angeles before heading to Jamaica to record with vocal input from the Congas. Scroll down to listen to the far-out ICON GIVE THANK cut "Happy Song."
As for ICON EYE, it was directed by filmmakers Tony Lowe and Sam Fleischner and uses "dubbed-out editing techniques inherent in the reggae sub-genre, rendering a visual 'version' of the album." Scroll past the tracklist and SoundCloud player to watch a brief teaser.
FRKWYS Vol. 9 will be available as a CD/DVD and LP/DVD, as well as a digital package.
ICON GIVE THANK:
1. "New Binghi"
2. "Happy Song"
3. "Food Clothing and Shelter"
4. "Sunshine"
5. "Jungle"
6. "Invocation"
7. "Thanks and Praise"
Sun Araw, M. Geddes Gengras, & The Congos - Happy Song by RVNG Intl.
The collaboration resulted in a full-length album called ICON GIVE THANK and an accompanying making-of documentary film called ICON EYE, both due out April 10.
A press release says this about the collaboration: "The gates opened wide and warmly, the musicians and filmmakers ate, slept and smoked at the Congos' headquarters, their mural-emblazoned studio, home, and spiritual compound. An environment steeped in the Ital lifestyle, Rastafarian reflection and meditation, and a rich community bubbling with musical energy, both young and old artist would an unspoken creative language."
Sun Araw and Gengras apparently worked on some ideas in Los Angeles before heading to Jamaica to record with vocal input from the Congas. Scroll down to listen to the far-out ICON GIVE THANK cut "Happy Song."
As for ICON EYE, it was directed by filmmakers Tony Lowe and Sam Fleischner and uses "dubbed-out editing techniques inherent in the reggae sub-genre, rendering a visual 'version' of the album." Scroll past the tracklist and SoundCloud player to watch a brief teaser.
FRKWYS Vol. 9 will be available as a CD/DVD and LP/DVD, as well as a digital package.
ICON GIVE THANK:
1. "New Binghi"
2. "Happy Song"
3. "Food Clothing and Shelter"
4. "Sunshine"
5. "Jungle"
6. "Invocation"
7. "Thanks and Praise"
Sun Araw, M. Geddes Gengras, & The Congos - Happy Song by RVNG Intl.
ICON EYE (teaser) from RVNG Intl. on Vimeo.
