May Day Orchestra explores the legacy of imperialism
"colonialism has people with their heads upside down,
and all these memories buried in the ground." "Chembe cha Ngano" by Tim Rakel
It may seem odd for a band from St. Louis to put out a concept album about 17th century imperialism in Africa, but this is the Mayday Orchestra, and the bands new cd, "Wake" explores the life and times of Yusuf Bin Hasan, a Sultan who rebelled against the Portugese, who had murdered hid father.
The band, lead by songwriter Tim Rakel, is known for exploring historical political struggles and tragedies. The focus on Africa's past is in part due to Rakel having studied in Kenya, where he soaked in the sad colonial history of the region. The new record is in some ways a continuum of their last album, "Ota Benga", which revolved around the tragic life of a Mbuti pygmy from the Congo, who was put on display as an oddity at the 1904 worlds fair in St. Louis, and later at the Bronx zoo. Some musical and lyrical themes from "Ota Benga" resurface in "Wake", form the perils of early sea travel, to King Leopold II of Belgium, who's brutality in Africa led to the death of some 10 million. In "Wake", we follow Sultan Yusuf Bin Hasan, as he is sent to India to be educated and molded into a loyal servant of his colonial masters. But when he learns that his father was betrayed and murdered by the Portuguese, he seeks revenge, and then flees into the sea.
and all these memories buried in the ground." "Chembe cha Ngano" by Tim Rakel
It may seem odd for a band from St. Louis to put out a concept album about 17th century imperialism in Africa, but this is the Mayday Orchestra, and the bands new cd, "Wake" explores the life and times of Yusuf Bin Hasan, a Sultan who rebelled against the Portugese, who had murdered hid father.
The band, lead by songwriter Tim Rakel, is known for exploring historical political struggles and tragedies. The focus on Africa's past is in part due to Rakel having studied in Kenya, where he soaked in the sad colonial history of the region. The new record is in some ways a continuum of their last album, "Ota Benga", which revolved around the tragic life of a Mbuti pygmy from the Congo, who was put on display as an oddity at the 1904 worlds fair in St. Louis, and later at the Bronx zoo. Some musical and lyrical themes from "Ota Benga" resurface in "Wake", form the perils of early sea travel, to King Leopold II of Belgium, who's brutality in Africa led to the death of some 10 million. In "Wake", we follow Sultan Yusuf Bin Hasan, as he is sent to India to be educated and molded into a loyal servant of his colonial masters. But when he learns that his father was betrayed and murdered by the Portuguese, he seeks revenge, and then flees into the sea.
"there is no drought here but there is hunger..and there is wheat, at inflated market price hoarded in granaries, they say one man owns all of this" "Kilindini Harbor" by Tim Rankel
While the cd liner notes may read like a history lesson, the music is anything but dry. Though the band's past records had a distinctive folk/country feel, "Wake" is decidedly more in the rock genre, a fact made clear by new comer Charlie Tabing's tasteful, and at times blistering guitar work. It makes sense, given the subject matter. While the story of Ota Benga was an epic tragedy, Yusuf's tale evokes anger and rebellion. The music still centers around Tim Rakel's folk songs, and his matter of fact vocal delivery. Not one to indulge in catchy hooks, Rankel tells his stories in prose. The band is rounded out with long time band member Mary DeLeonardis on drums and her husband Jake on bass. The music varied and inventive, the slow heave and sway of "Betrayal", the steady pulse of "Train to the Coast", the angry energy of "Port of Mombasa", the disjointed soundscape of "Kisiwa cha Mvita", this record gives the listener a lot to take in. "Wake" is an impressive cd, and if a listeners aren't careful, they might learn about the sad legacy of colonialism along the way.
To learn more about the May day Orchestra, visit: https://themaydayorchestra.bandcamp.com/
Chris Otto
While the cd liner notes may read like a history lesson, the music is anything but dry. Though the band's past records had a distinctive folk/country feel, "Wake" is decidedly more in the rock genre, a fact made clear by new comer Charlie Tabing's tasteful, and at times blistering guitar work. It makes sense, given the subject matter. While the story of Ota Benga was an epic tragedy, Yusuf's tale evokes anger and rebellion. The music still centers around Tim Rakel's folk songs, and his matter of fact vocal delivery. Not one to indulge in catchy hooks, Rankel tells his stories in prose. The band is rounded out with long time band member Mary DeLeonardis on drums and her husband Jake on bass. The music varied and inventive, the slow heave and sway of "Betrayal", the steady pulse of "Train to the Coast", the angry energy of "Port of Mombasa", the disjointed soundscape of "Kisiwa cha Mvita", this record gives the listener a lot to take in. "Wake" is an impressive cd, and if a listeners aren't careful, they might learn about the sad legacy of colonialism along the way.
To learn more about the May day Orchestra, visit: https://themaydayorchestra.bandcamp.com/
Chris Otto