*Limited edition of 500 copies.* It was during the long stretch of isolation that I received a message from Bashi Rose. A big brother figure to many of us in Baltimore during the 1990s - 2000s, he’s been a fixture on the scene as a poet, writer, theatre person, director, and most recently drummer. His message came shortly after the release of the Ocean Bridges lp by Archie Shepp, Damu, and Raw Poetic (on which Bashi and Jamal Moore both played integral parts). I was blown away by the music and proud to have seen fam on the project. 

Message; Bashi is the drummer of a unit called Konjur Collective; they had just finished their debut lp. He asked me to listen to it and wanted to know if I had any advice on how to get the material into the world. After spending time with the material, I knew this project was special. 

Blood in My Eye (A Soul Insurgent Guide) is a heavy music that falls someplace between a dedication to George Jackson (Field Marshall of the Black Panther Party and revolutionary author), a culminating of energy amongst three powerful brothers, and a milestone in Baltimore's musical lineage. Along with Bashi (drums) and Jamal (alto sax, trombone, electronics, and percussion) is Show Azar (synthesizer). This unique line-up might seem slim on paper, but the sounds they bring fill up the listener's ears and consciousness. The music is rebellious in spirit, plus unifying in power. Records like Black Unity Trio’s Al-Fatihah (1969) and Roland Young’s Isophonic Boogie Woogie (1980) come to mind when I try to describe it’s sonic texture and atmosphere to new listeners. Yet, this quote from George Jackson’s book (of which this album borrows the title) might be the best way to translate the musician’s deeper intention:

"The men who placed themselves above the rest of society through guile, fortuitous outcome of circumstance and sheer brutality have developed two principal institutions to deal with any and all serious disobedience--the prison and institutionalized racism." - Jackson, 1971

While Bashi is self-taught on the traps, his sound fluctuates between free and funky when necessary, recalling the work of Clifford Jarvis and Freddie Waits. Jamal, whom I have written about along with our brother Dirar Kalash, is a multidisciplinary horn man who has spent much time playing and touring with artists across various platforms while excelling as an educator in Baltimore. His meditative approaches to creation and spiritual practice play as the voicing of this lp. Show’s influence on the direction of the eight compositions cannot be understated. His synth work acts as the glue between the others; pushing them into new sections and challenging them to switch gears and not get stuck in one space. 

Another note on this collaboration; it's the first record on the newly formed cow (Creative Outlets and Works) music imprint through Astral Spirits. While our parent label has been a force in supporting improvised musicians for years, the cow program hopes to not only focus on music, but visual art, publishing, and performance as well. Blood in My Eye (A Soul Insurgent Guide) encapsulates all these aspects; I feel that it is the perfect way to start this journey and I'm thankful for all parties involved in trusting us with this precious gift of liberation.  - Gabriel Jermaine Vanlandingham-Dunn