Los Angeles-based Alekesam (aka Selema Masekela) is pleased to announce the release of his debut LP The Sound of Alekesam. Available on May 13 via iTunes on Shoveling Sunshine, the highly personal record blends r & b, jazz, and hip hop. In addition to the release of the record, Alekesam will premiere Alekesam, a short film about Hugh Masekela and his connection through music with his son Selema, at this week’s Tribeca Film Festival.
Given the opportunity to press pause on a thirty-nine year existence dedicated to celebrating the creativity of others, and finally look inside at what it is that YOU have to give… What would you do? What would you make? What story would you tell? Selema Masekela decided he’d make his record. Decided that the voices in his head and heart were not crazy and deserved to be heard. Decided to team up with his cousin Sunny Levine and a few trusted musicians in a small studio in Los Angeles and embark on a ten-week adventure. Write songs and simply see what happened. The Sound of ALEKESAM is what happened.
Selema Masekela is the black cowboy, riding a dolphin, from Venice Beach, CA by way of NY and San Diego. His debut album The Sound of Alekesam is the sound of a state of mind to the connoisseur of sound, an original sound. Hearing is truly believing, transporting, soundscaping. Hearing imagery, seeing sounds, a philosophy in sound. It’s here, he is here, shoveling sunshine.
The official documentary features an in depth look at the creating of the record as well Sal’s personal influences behind it. Hugh Masekela – musician, activist and father who was exiled from his family and native South Africa for over 30 years as a direct result of Apartheid. Undaunted, he would find musical success in America with the 1968 number one hit, Grazin’ In The Grass, and in 1971 he would father a son, Selema Mabena Masekela. Yet shortly thereafter, Hugh would make the choice to leave America and his son for Africa, in an effort to reconnect to his homeland through music and create awareness about the situation in South Africa. 39 years later, Selema, better known as television personality and ESPN X Games host ‘Sal’ Masekela, reflects on his relationship with his father, the accompanying issues of abandonment and addiction, race and self, and the conflicts that influence the choices we make in our lives. Alekesam explores the story of a father exiled from his country, a son exiled from his father, and their mutual attempt to connect to the world, and each other through music.
“The Sound of Alekesam” Tracklist:
01. Here Comes That Sound
02. I Am The Breeze
03. Ourselves Together
04. Summer Jams
05. Lost And Found
06. Brace Yourself
07. It’s Not You It’s Here
08. You Kick Out
09. Black Cowboy
10. There Comes A Time
Screening Schedule of Alekesam:
04/19 10:00PM AMC Loews Village 7 – 2
04/21 11:30AM AMC Loews Village 7 – 3
04/25 9:45PM Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 8
04/29 2:30PM Tribeca Cinemas Theater 2
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