SAN FRANCISCO (OM Records) - 'We believe it is each generation's responsibility to provide a better future for the next,' says NextAid's Co-Founder
Lauren Segal. The Los Angeles-based humanitarian organization has partnered with Om Records to release the benefit compilation CD, reBOOT: Notes for the Next Generation, containing unreleased tracks by some of the most recognizable and respected producers, artist and DJs from the world of electronic music. All proceeds from the net wholesale of this CD will help children in Africa whose parents have died from AIDS. The benefit CD will be released on July 26, 2005.
The artists that came together to make this CD possible, donated original, mostly unreleased tracks. The incredible line-up includes, Thievery Corporation, Louie Vega, Ron Trent, DJ Garth & Markie Mark, Miguel Migs, Kaskade, Marques Wyatt & Gina Rene, Mark Farina, aFRO-mYSTIK, Adam Freeland, Vinny da Vinci (South Africa), Troye (South Africa), Troydon (South Africa), J Boogie, and Jeremy Sole's Musaics & Garth Trinidad.
NextAid's slogan, 'Using the beats of our generation to provide hope for the next,' is also their philosophy. Deeply rooted in dance music, NextAid has built many enduring alliances with labels, artist and DJs since its inception in 2002. An especially rewarding union, born out of a Hollywood nightclub in 2003, was the meeting of Om Records President, Chris Smith at a NextAid benefit event.
'The (AIDS) situation in South Africa, as most know, is horrific, with many communities creating a generation of orphans, robbed not just of their innocence, but of their chance for a healthy, vital future,' explains Om's Smith. 'reBOOT is our attempt to humanize the problem of AIDS in Africa. This project, in support of NextAid initiatives, pays homage to the roots of our music, while raising consciousness about the urgency of the situation and actively making a difference for Africa today.'
Smith continues, 'The album is a labor of love for everyone involved. Lauren, Neil Feineman (NextAid founding member), Charlotte Tregoning (Om Records Booking Agent) and myself sketched out a short list of artists to approach. To their credit, we never had to go beyond that initial list and reBOOT was born.'
There's a myriad of musical styles represented on reBOOT. From afro-beat, spoken word poetry and soulful house to dub reggae and 'Om' lounge-style downtempo. Highlights include Marques Wyatt's poignantly titled floor rocker "Come Together Love Better," Thievery Corporation's beat heavy ragga number "Truth and Rights," and Louie Vega's Latin jazz percussion work out "Steel Congo." Fans of the Om 100, Om Lounge, San Francisco Sessions and Mushroom Jazz, series will love this album.
All proceeds from the sales of the CD will help fund NextAid's pilot project, the building of a multi-purpose center for Youth With A Vision (YWAV). A South African youth group, YWAV uses theater and music to teach AIDS awareness and other issues to their peers in a poverty stricken rural township called Dennilton, located two hours northeast of Johannesburg. NextAid is working with Eco-Architect Joseph Kennedy in the design and building of a sustainable, earth-friendly center for these teenagers. The learning center will also be a home for an additional 60 children orphaned by AIDS, a resource center for the larger community, and a beacon of hope for many others. Intended to showcase green building design, this center will serve as a template for many such centers throughout the continent. The two children on the CD's cover are twins adopted by Cynthia Nkosi (Founder of YWAV). Their names, Sibusiso and Visisiwe, mean 'Blessed' and 'Blessing.' These children will literally benefit from the sales of this CD.
Release parties, which may also serve as benefits, are planned for San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Charlotte, Montreal and South Africa.
Confirmed Release Party Dates: Friday July 15th | Chicago, Ill | Africa Hi-Fi @ Sonotheque | Ron Trent, Jeremy Sole
Saturday July 23rd | San Francisco, CA | Mighty | Miguel Migs, Julius Papp and More TBA
Saturday July 29th | Montreal | Metro Talent @ Circus Afterhours | Marques Wyatt, Miss Molly, DJ B'ugo and More TBA
Wednesday August 24 or 31 | New York | Roots @ Cielo | Louie Vega, Kevin Hedge and More TBA (DATE TBC)
Sunday September 18 | Los Angeles | DEEP @ The Vanguard | Kaskade, Marques Wyatt, and Gina Rene (TBC)
NextAid is dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for African children orphaned as a result of AIDS. By partnering with other organizations in the production of music benefits and awareness-raising activities, NextAid channels emergency and long-term aid to African children in need. Lauren Segal declares, 'We just cannot turn our backs on the 15 million children currently orphaned by AIDS. The situation is only getting worse. We have to do something and through our music, we can and we must make a difference.' To find out more about NextAid and how you can help, please visit www.nextaid.org. For details and artwork from the CD please visit www.om-records.com.
Artist quotes from the reBOOT: Notes for the Next Generation CD regarding their involvement in this project: 'It is an African proverb that says ‘It takes a whole village to raise a child', following that philosophy it is our responsibility as parents, adults, and human beings to take care of the youth that needs our time and energy for survival.' - Ron Trent 'I am happy to give my time and energy to help bring much needed attention to the NextAid effort in Africa. I am honored to be a part of the reBOOT album.' - Kaskade "It is our responsibility as human beings to do our part and help to bring awareness to such devastating and serious matters. Everybody can do something! A positive force like NextAid who are passionately working to make a difference in this world has my full support!" - Miguel Migs 'Africa is the motherland; the mother of all rhythm. When NextAid laid out their vision to help Africans live to see a brighter day, I felt compelled to join the cause. If I can give something back to Africa, why wouldn't I? It's given me everything." - DJ Garth "It is our responsibility to help in anyway we can with the AIDS catastrophe in Africa. In our case, we can use the proceeds from our music to help build a multi-purpose center for teens orphaned by AIDS who live in Dennilton, South Africa. I have been to South Africa 3 times and have met many incredible talented artists and producers and the appreciation and love for music is one of a kind. I am here to do what I can to help, especially utilizing my talent as a producer / dj to come through in the best way possible." – Louie Vega 'Based on the behaviour of the Powers-That-Be and people in general, I'm beginning to think we should change the National Animal from the springbok to the ostrich. Everyone's got their heads in the sand, hoping someone else will deal with the problem. And I'm one of them. Poor people are the most severely affected by the AIDS epidemic because they are malnourished, under-informed and dealing with hectic social stigmas. All of these factors provide a perfect platform for the virus to make itself at home. Since the poorest of the poor are being left in the lurch, I've realized it's up to every individual to take every opportunity to help: If you CAN help, you MUST help.' - Troye "We are all cells in a Universal Body. When one part of that Body is diseased, the cells rush to heal the infected area. Compassion and community are inscribed into our dharma. I don't feel that any of us can truly honor our own personal accomplishments, before giving back to the humanity from which our lives have come. Let your guard down and open your heart, this is not a trend or marketing scheme. This is life and death, and the time is now." – Jeremy Sole 'Musically and spiritually, Afro-Mystik feels a strong connection to Africa. Our fellow human beings desperately need our help. It is an honor to offer a small bit of hope by participating in the reBOOT project.' - Afro-Mystik 'Personally, I arrived at a juncture when merely playing records lost its luster and I began to seek the true purpose behind my being given this gift of music. You begin to realize how blessed you are to be in a position to really effect other lives. This very thought process is what drives me these days. Actually, I've always aspired to go one step further by taking the attention I get from playing and producing music to benefit others, only now it's more clear. With this clarity and commitment, the universe tends to present opportunity. Needless to say, this will be my most important contribution thus far.' – Marques Wyatt 'It is our responsibility as the Human race to respond to the needs of the Human race because we are one.
There is no separation between us and them cause we are them.' – Gina Rene 'Having lived in South Africa the U.K. and the U.S., it is clear to me how inter-connected the world is – we have different lifestyles, accents and family structures but we face similar problems, albeit on different scales. Reaching out to those in the world who really need our support makes the global community a reality and gives us the knowledge and experience we need to face problems in our own everyday lives.' – Troydon (South Africa-Based Artist) 'AIDS is a mass murderer and Africa is its holocaust. Responding to it is joining the fight against the wicked forces that would see it through to further exploit Africa's abundant resources, and exterminate the original man." – Garth Trinidad 'The number of people living with the HIV/AIDS virus in Africa is really frightening. I believe that getting involved in positive social projects like this, is just a step in the right direction. Maybe in a couple of year to come, a lot more similar projects could flourish and help fund the finding of the cure for this MONSTER.' – Vinny da Vinci (South African-Based Artist)
