Life in the continuum is a communal thing. We all have a
duty to honor those that preceded us, to acknowledge and add something new —
something of value — to the history that anticipates our arrival in the now and
do our part to extend the past into the future.
Instrumentalist and composer Theo Croker, whose latest album
Star People Nation recently earned a nomination for "Best Contemporary
Instrumental Album" at the 62nd GRAMMY® Awards, carries this deep
understanding with him in both his life and music. If you listen carefully, you’ll
hear it in the notes and tones, moving with the melodies and floating in the
breaks. This transcendent, ever-evolving sense of self and community has
manifest itself in an incredible constellation of artists who collectively
embody the album’s guiding philosophies around oneness, ancestral reverence,
and creative autonomy.
With “Understand Yourself,” the album’s closing track,
Croker joins forces with Chronixx, a Jamaican singer whose wide-ranging
approach to music and innovative sound (what he calls “black experimental
music”) made him the perfect choice for the record. The song notably samples
Jamaican-born political leader Marcus Garvey’s “Know Yourself” speech. Garvey’s
iconic words become the raw material for Croker and Chronixx’s sonic explorations,
remixing Garvey’s message of nation-building and taking it into uncharted
musical territory. Croker and Chronixx were able to nurture and marry their
unique collaborative voice and vision through a process of mutual exchange
where ideas were shared for months before the two actually recorded the trumpet
and vocals together in Los Angeles. This meaningful back-and-forth between
artists speaks to the larger world building ethos that Croker intentionally
cultivated throughout Star People Nation. For Croker, the album is not merely
the result of his own personal artistry but represents a collective effort on
the part of a “nation” of creative people from all across the globe whose
contributions allowed the project to transcend even his original vision.
A host of creative luminaries, with various specialties and
backgrounds, helped to transform “Understand Yourself” into a powerfully
audacious film. The composer designated alternative musician Gita as his
Artistic Director, also the artistic force behind the development and curation
of the entirety of Star People Nation’s spirit and visual identity. Gita
collaborated with Noirwave Pioneer and multi-disciplinary artist Rharha
Nembhard, who was brought on board as an associate and creative producer. Both
Gita and Rharha played a vital role as creative architects for this project, by
birthing the visual aesthetics and initiating Kordae Jatafa Henry to be the
film’s Director. In addition, Samantha Blake Goodman transmuted feelings into
choreography; dancers Qwenga and Sasha Rivero married their individual styles
with Goodman’s movements to give life to the film’s narrative; stylist El Lewis
tapped designer Theophilio and jewelry designers Dynasty & Soull Ogun of
L’enchantuer for the film’s wardrobe direction. Tanya Melendez acted as both
the hair & MUA. Every single collaborator brought their skills and
resources to the project and created an image of a future world where the
healing power of nature is properly acknowledged and uplifted. In this world —
a world liberated from modern technology, the natural environment is the
catalyst for inner clarity, transcendental experiences, and higher states of
consciousness
In an era where jazz music videos are a rare occurrence,
“Understand Yourself” makes its own rules. And, in this way, it beautifully
encapsulates Theo Croker's unique trajectory as an artist and creator. With
Star People Nation, which he self-published, arranged, and financed, Croker is
able to transcend personal limitations. The journey from Shanghai to Los
Angeles to Kingston led to personal and musical breakthroughs that gave birth
to new pathways of expression and greater self-understanding.
The three-track “Understand Yourself” EP also contains distinctly different takes of the song from the original album version
and in addition to Chronixx, also features pianist Sullivan Fortner.
Theo
Croker
Understand Yourself
Tracklist:
1. "Understand Yourself" (Acoustic Version) feat.
Chronixx & Sullivan Fortner
2. "Understand Yourself" (Instrumental Duo
Version) feat. Sullivan Fortner
3. "Understand Yourself" (Original Beat Demo)
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