photos: Zibz Black Current

Two percussion players, one trap drummer, a bassist, a guitarist, a keyboardist, and three horn players cram onto a floor-level stage. Twelve vocalists squat stage right, waiting for their chance to touch the mic. The air crackles with anticipation. In the crowd, Blacks, Browns, Whites are packed together so tightly that, as in the Langston Hughes poem about riding the New York subway, there is “no room for fear.” One person inhales another’s language. Welcome to Kalmunity’s Live Organic Improv at Sablo Kafé. This anthology collects the words and thoughts of Kalmunity’s rappers, dub poets, jazz poets, singers, and musicians as they reflect on collective improvisation, freedom, love, history, politics, and the divine.

26 Contributors:
Andy Vial (MTL), Ashanti Alston (NY), David Sedo Obaguidi (MTL), d’bi.young.anitafrica (TO), Fabrice Koffy (MTL), Fredy "V" Varre (MTL), Jason "JahSun" Promesse (MTL), Jason "Blackbird" Selman (MTL), Joel "Jahnice" Janis (MTL), Josephine C. Watson (Halifax), kaie kellough (MTL), Katherine "katalyst" Blenkinsop (MTL), Kim Zombik (Boston), Klyde "Durm-I" Broox (TO), S. "Kya Kindu" Been (MTL), Lansou "Sossa" Adjahi (MTL), Mathieuson "Preach Ankobia" Beaujour (MTL), Mohamed Mehdi (MTL), Neil "Zibz Black Current" Guilding (MTL), Odessa "Queen" Thornhill (MTL), Oulimata "Féliken" Kane (MTL), Alex "Phénix" Sylvestre (MTL), "Lady" Rafaelle Mackay (MTL), Ron G. "RawNia" Scott (MTL), Roen "BLU Rva" Higgins (MTL), Sharon Brooks (MTL), Stephen Thomas (MTL), Zarrahkshatryia " Bungle Natty" Clarke (MTL).