Constitution vinyl

Asher Gamedze's Constitution unfolds as a profound exploration of ensemble dynamics and collective creativity. Following the 2023 release Turbulence and Pulse, this double album introduces The Black Lungs, a ten-piece ensemble that expands Gamedze's vision of polyrhythmic and modal music. Recorded in a single day at Cape Town's Sound and Motion Studios, the album is a great example to the power of collective expression and autonomous constitution. The album features Gamedze on drums alongside Ru Slayen on percussion, Sean Sanby on bass, and Nobuhle Ashanti on piano, creating a cohesive rhythm section. This core is enriched by Tumi Pheko's cornet, Garth Erasmus and Jed Petersen's saxophones, Tina Mene's vocals, Athi Ngcaba's trombone, and Fred Moten's spoken word, each adding layers of tonal and atonal exploration. Constitution embodies the spirit of the Black Consciousness Movement, blending revolutionary thought with musical innovation. The ensemble's interplay reflects a process of collective unraveling, questioning, and creative resistance against systemic oppression. Gamedze's work is both a tribute to historical struggles and a celebration of the ensemble as a site of resistance and artistic possibility.