The path which led to the Burbank sessions after the live gig by the Nu Nova Compound at World Stage -- a performance which perked up the ears of Carlos Niño and was the impetus for realizing the opportunity to record this music -- starts decades ago. The unique moment in time that allowed these great musicians to individually be part of this creative ensemble led by Ghasem Batamuntu is a special enough blessing in and of itself, but the long personal and cultural threads that were woven together to realize this tapestry of sound only enhances the appreciation of this 'Gift'.

The main recording sessions were done with the Nu Nova ensemble at Tranzformer Studios in Burbank, with Bryan Carlstrom as recording engineer. Subsequent sessions were held in Holland, with Glen Gaddums engineering, and in the San Francisco Bay Area with Jamie Bridges at A Room With A View Studios in Petaluma.

The artists:

Ghasem Batamuntu, sax and leader
Nate Morgan, Jr., piano and keyboards
Sonship Theus, drums
Dadisi Komolafe, flute
Onaje Murray, vibes
Isaac Smith, baritone horn and trombone
Joel Ector, double bass, bamboo flutes
Charles Hamilton, trombone
Destiny Mohamed, harp

Will Alexander, spoken word (Solea XYZ)
Kamau Daaood, spoken word (Yellow Moon)
K. Curtis Lyle, spoken word (Nu Finitude)

Bay Area sessions:

Juma Santos (RIP), congas and percussion
Josh Jones, percussion
Scheherazade Stone, vocals (Waltz of Wonder)

Holland sessions:

Ellen van Harmelan, vocals (Wayne's Vein)
Wolter Wierbos - trombone (Solea XYZ)
Remco vander Sluis - traps, percussion
Angele de Jong - backup vocals
Farahday - alto flute (Wayne's Vein), backup vocals
Carlo Hope - djembe, percussion

This notable line-up of great artists serves up powerful ensemble work, lush vocals, brilliant solos, and collectively locked-in free jazz, much of which accompanies the spoken work passages.

Produced and mastered by Jefferson Braswell
Mixed by Jefferson Braswell and Jamie Bridges
Album artwork and graphic design by Fajou
Special thanks to Carlos Niño

All of our thoughts and prayers are with Nate Morgan and for his full health and recovery -- know that we love you Nate and are grateful for your presence among us.