THE BAYARA CITIZENS - ELEKTRIK AFRIKA

What will soon come is part of a musical journey, grown for years from seeds planted into fertile ground.
A summit of electrical impulses, human sweat, and the beat of African drums arose and became a tale of two worlds forming an alliance with the intent of creating a unique living sound.
Landing here on earth by the way of the love making of two Puerto Rican parents; there is no confusion as to where my soul is rooted, or where my need to feed on music comes from.
With my heart firmly planted in Mother Africa, and ears open to the voices of my ancestors; my connection with and love for the drum - and its entire rhythm world - is part of my DNA.

Throughout my expeditions guided by rhythm, pre-conceived music concepts were rarely a part of the creative process, nor do I expect a story to be contained by a beginning and end.
However, from the very beginning of this journey, I was pulled by electromagnetic forces-aligning with the sacred spirits of rhythm - taking control of my every sense.

The spirit of each instrument and the souls of the musicians were inspired by the curiosity of what could be if a union of these two worlds formed. We were finally brought together by passion to share these ancient and future vibrations. Without the contributions of the musicians - masters who are a living connection between the motherland and New York City - this story could not have been told.
I live by a belief that in the end it takes the spirits and vibrations of many to bring to life one’s vision, whether we are conscious of it or not.

This isn’t the first time that I’ve conducted matrimony by fusing acoustic and electronic together as one. However, Bayara Citizens represents evolution, producing its own genetics – and speaking an individual dialect of rhythm and sound. Traces can be heard in the title track "Electik Afrika,”
which fuses electronic harmonizing on the skins of traditional folkloric rhythms.

With this coming together of sacred souls the “Bayara Citizens” came to be.

I hope that you will enjoy the outcome as much as we’ve enjoyed co-creating it.
Playing Music / Speaking Music


Recorded@ East Side Studios New York
Engineered by Fran Cathcart
Recorded & Mixed @ Sacred Rhythm Studios
Engineered & Mixed by Liberty Elman
Edited by Joaquin Joe Claussell, Fran Cathcart & Eqwel
Mastered by Alex Saltz @ APS Mastering NYC
Design & Graphics by Akemi Shimada

Musicians:
Jose Cochise Claussell - Congos & Percussion
Udu Kawanza - Balofan
Mafu Sosimi - Shekere & Conga
Liberty Elman - Electric Guitars & Bass
Old People - Guitar
Ala Fe. Femi Kutera, Igba Bona - African Rhythm Guitars
Fran Cathcart - Electric Guitar
Mark Shim & Fe. Fe - Saxophones
Brian Lynch, Olu Fe & Wele Wele - Trumpets
Antique Kalimba, African Stick & Drum - Daniel Moreno
Brian Mitchel - Organ
Bennett Pastor - Organ & Keyboards
Mamadu See & Bennett Paster - Bass
The Cosmic Arts Orchestra - Horns Section
Joaquin Joe Claussell - Lead Vocals, Chants, Bamba, Toys,
Maschine Drum & Custom Modular System Programming.

CD CAT# SRM10004

Contributors Special Thanks to:

Liberty Elman (Engineer, Musician)
Steven Weber
Akemi Shimada (Visual Artist & Artistic Director)
Joon " Jon " Park (Project Coordinator & Editor)
Kamati PInkston
Fran Cathcart & East Side Sounds Studios NY (Engineer & Musician)
Jonathan Paul Claussell (Visual Artist & Web Designer)
Banghan Nabi Kim (Visual Artist)
Minako Yoshino (Visual Artist)
Nirah Johnson (writer & Editor)
Megumi Wakatsuki (Japanese Translator)
DJ/ Dr.Atsuko Miyazaki (Japan co-coordinator)
Brian Bacchus (Music Advisor)
Atypical Dopeness Distribution
Yoshi Shimada & All - Disk Union Japan
Nik Weston - Juno Records U.K
Cris Backer - Rush Hour Records
Joe D'Espinosa - Downtown 304
Hideyuki Tomita - Strada Records Japan
Yasuharu Morhiro & All - Lighthouse Records
And to all who owns records stores, DJ's & Music Lovers who support the Bayara Citizens Movement,

THANK YOU!