True Music
Keeping your head up
Sean O'Neill
Keeping your head up

Edidion, a motivated artist and musician, has released his new track called ‘Statistics’, which is a raw rendition of his innermost desire, that being, a better world for all.
Acting as a spokesperson for the disappointed, disgruntled and downtrodden, Edidion’s new single voices the ever-growing concern within the majority of people in the world today, otherwise referred to as “WE”, that things are getting harder and harder and therefore more and more people are ‘feeling trapped’ and ‘imprisoned in their own circumstances’. With so much turmoil and strife existing around the world at the moment, it is no wonder that people are feeling ‘mad at the world’ trying to ‘find someone to take the blame’.

 

Edidion captures this sentiment at the beginning of the song, but then goes on to sing words of encouragement and inspiration singing ‘I want you to know, that nothing is forever’. He attempts to remind his fans about the idea of how destiny is up for grabs and how ‘you gotta keep your head up’ and your eyes open in order to ‘see the potential in your destiny’. The message is not a new one, but it is one that deserves to be heard again and again. It concerns the idea of remaining positive and upbeat in a world of negativity and constant struggle.

After this stage of the song he addresses the more privileged members of society and the world, the people who could be referred to as the one percent, making an emotional appeal to them, singing in a gentle and highly expressive croon ‘you see our tears, you hear our cries’ ‘we knock on your doors, but you ignore’. As a listener you can feel his earnest sentiment of wanting to inspire and motivate the world in a positive way, both the oppressors and the oppressed. He again beseeches those with the wealth and power asking ‘how will we thrive, if you keep us deprived of the knowledge we need’ - ‘need to survive’.

A large majority of people, just like Edidion, will feel that this is a valid question worthy of an answer. It just so happens to be well timed with student protests around the world at the moment, such protests are chanting the same slogan in attempt to stem the tide of ever increasing costs involved with getting a higher education and a chance for a better life.

The song comes to an end with him imploring his listeners to break the cycle and to fight against statistics. Similar to some of Michael Jackson’s songs, who happens to be one of the musicians whom he identifies with, his basic message is one of hope for a better world, for you and for me and the entire human race. It’s a good thing too, because a world without hope, would be a hopeless situation.

 

Alabama 3's esoteric sound
by Robert Palmer
Alabama 3 (A3)
Alabama 3 (A3)

 

Alabama 3's esoteric distillation of techno, country, and bizarre antics, both on and off stage make them a force to be reckoned with. It's not often you hear country music coupled with techno, and allied to lyrical references from everything to drugs to religion. Alabama 3 have the upper hand on this unique style, though. The acclaimed Exile On Coldharbour Lane album, their live expeditions, and their ostensibly annihilitive attitude have already cemented their reputation as piss-taking mavericks. There's method in their madness, though, and the ever-growing conglomerate that is Alabama 3 is going from strength to strength, and sucking is confused punters by the day.

Alabama 3 (A3)
 

The band claim they got together by meeting through rehab centres for various addictions. They were formed in Brixton in the early 90s by founder members The Very Reverend Dr. D Wayne Love, Larry Love, The Mountain of Love, Sir Real “Congaman” Love, Missisipi Guitar man Love, Yhe Spirit and Little Boy Dope.
Despite Brixton being the mainstay of their antics (culminating in the album title), teh group's heritage, both geographically and musically is far more wide-spanned. Frm Wales to London, from country to drum & bass, Alabama 3 have managed to cover all bases and emerge with a drug and imagination-fuelled distillation that is purely their own.
Frontman Larry Love offer an insight into their influences. “We started as an acid house sound system, and have been evolvin ever since. Musically we're very diverse, and between us our influences stretch from every strain of music. A large part of our agenda is to bring together seemingly disparate elements of music, and since we have the techno and country influences, that seemed like a good starting point. We've really tried to rewrite the rules about country and blues, and it's annoying when people don't get it”.

Alabama 3 (A3)
 
However the band are adamant that people who associate with the cultural background of Alabama 3 are converts. Larry continues, “People have said this is a pastiche, but to me, country is white man's blues, and I see nothing wrong with putting it in a modern context. Me and D Wayne Love are Celtic, and in both Scotland and Wales, there's still such a proliferation of acoustic country based music, that it's been a very strong influence for both of us.”
As time went on, the crew quickly discovered the dance scene. They saw a real alliance between acid house and techno and their early country roots, and were swift to encompass the genres. Add to this their humorous outlook on the drug-induced club scene, and the formula was in place.
Their anarchic attitude, both musically and otherwise, along with their unique style and enthralling live shows demonstrate their commitment and long term potential.