‘what a long, strange trip its been.’- jerry garcia
‘there was music in the cafes at night, and revolution in the air’- bob dylan
‘i wasn’t born in ghana, but africa’s my mama.’
greetings and salutations. i had to drop a line to all, as times are wild and need to be documented. for those of you i haven’t spoken to in a while, this has definetly been the craziest summer of my life. i have been roaming all around the countryside of the united kingdom and ireland meeting more beautiful strangers than you could imagine. the kindness of strangers…
i am leaving for africa in 3 days. it is the craziest feeling in the world - only in the rare off moment do i realize where i am heading. young 3z and my brother from another mother james moore are coming with me. we are playing 3 major festivals there: the arts alive festival in johannesburg, moya festival at coconuts in maputo mozambique, and meeting up with giles peterson, annie mac and rob da bank, at the lake of stars festival on lake malawi. check out www.lakeofstars.co.uk to see where i am heading…. insane.
this summer has been absolute intense craziness, rambling around british festivals mostly. my fellow americans, the british festival summer scene may indeed be the secret crown jewel of british culture. i have never felt such a crazy a buzz as i did travelling these festivals, meeting people taking it easy in a field. how many times did we begin speaking to strangers, and made new friends in minutes. everyone up for a laugh? some people are nuts, some people don’t get it, but on the general - it’s been such a lovely community this– playing the chunes for the people.
big up to my gypsy clan of one taste and chai wallah. so much respect to everyone who got down with us this summer. the chai wallah tea tent hosted the one taste stage at many festivals, and the magic shared in that tent with that collection of artist and vibe selectors has been a real blessing and rejuvenating force. too too many people to shout, i would have to shout everyone– so many great improv jams and energy with portico quartet, polarbear, umluat and stitch, mc xander, jamie woon, elova, bridgit amofo, daisy, steph, david j, scroobius pip, p.i.p, gideon conn- what a great summer.
i did a mess of festivals this summer: glastonbury, celtronic, secret garden party, play, big chill , bloom , rip curl l, shambala, electric picnic, bestival, and waveforms, and this weekend we finish off the season with truck festival. what a summer, a million thank yous to all the people that had a boogaloo with me in the sunshine, or under the country stars. to all the people that walked off site with me to soak up the silence.to all the people who had an acoustic getdown when the power went out!
saw so much music- saw bjork, who simply is beyond words. some of her new work is so overtly political-’declare indepence! don’t let them do that to you! make your own flag! raise your flag! higher! higher!’–i find it so telling of the times when one of the most beautifully descriptive writes of the inner world and emotional landscapes feels it necessary to scream: ‘declare independence! don’t let them do that to you!’ she is a genius… nuff said i think.
saw the beastie boys twice! was jumping up and down screaming my head off for the b-boys. saw my homegirl beth ditto of the gossip every chance i got! that lady is one woman revolution happening, check out the gossip! check out all the one taste artists!
lost my phone a week or so ago, and havent been able to get in touch with any of my friends- my apologies to all i should be in touch with. this summer has been so overwhelming on so many levels, and before the dust settles- off to africa. woo-hah.
i will try to keep you all updated on my african journey– it will be my farthest trip from home. me and my brothers go to share music with people of a far away land that we have never seen. music is the greatest gift in the world, and i am loving being able to share it on this level. this summers stages where some of the best of my life, with so many great people. hope alls well in your world. i am off to the east my friends, to the east.
