While it might seem only natural that music makers and artists of all political stripes are offering their support to their chosen side with the US election, an event looming large on the horizon, well, Chopmaster J has even more reason to release an album so obviously supportive of the current Vice president and Democratic candidate. They were at school together!
Chopmaster J, co-founder of the iconic Digital Underground, however, offers us much more than just additional political weight and public endorsement of his classmate. He gives us an album full of positivity, a feeling of a bright future, which he sees as the natural successor to the USA gaining its first female president.
So, The Kamala Album offers ten songs built on buoyant grooves and day-glow sonic moves, messages of hope and healing interspersed with soundbites from the candidate herself.
In many ways, this feels like a modern take on the same vibe as Marvin Gaye’s groundbreaking What’s Going On, a sonic discussion on difficult times and optimistic hopes for the futures of the man and woman in the street, no matter what their culture, colour or creed.
A historic album for equally historic times? I think so.