Optional donations to musician’s charity, GUA Africa, will be accepted to help build school in Sudan, Eastern Africa
As a preview into Emmanuel Jal’s highly anticipated fourth album (scheduled for release in 2010), brand new single “We Fall” was released on December 2, 2009. Produced by Silvastone and featuring soulful vocalist McKenzie and guitarist Sean O’Connell of Brooklyn-based Voodoo Farm, a link to the free downloadable single is available from Jal’s website and Myspace page.
December 2, 2009 marked the 1-year anniversary since Jal started his challenging fast of eating only one meal a day in an attempt to raise funds to build a school in Leer, Sudan through his non-profit foundation called GUA-Africa. Jal has personally donated the money he has saved during his fast towards the school construction project named in honour of Emma McCune, the woman who saved Jal when he was a young child soldier in southern Sudan.
“I am releasing this song as a free download to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has donated to GUA-Africa, as well as anyone who listens, enjoys and is able to help - they can go to www.gua-africa.org to donate” explains Jal of his motivation.
The idea for this track was birthed when Jal met Fisher Stevens, a successful actor, director and producer in New York in October of this year. Both participated in the United Nations Day 2009 Concert to honour United Natiions Peacekeeping. Stevens introduced Jal to Damon Dash, an American label executive specializing almost exclusively in hip-hop music; a co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records with Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Kareem “Biggs” Burke. UK-based rapper Blak Twang and Silverstone were also in attendance. Dash immediately suggested a recording session and a few minutes later all were in the studio.
McKenzie Eddy and Sean O’Connell of Voodoo Farm were introduced to Jal and his team at the new BlakRoc building in Tribeca, New York where the studio was located. BlakRoc is the name of Damon Dash’s project - a collaboration between rockers The Black Keys and rappers such as Mos Def, Q-Tip, Ludacris, Raekwon and many others. It was there the song was co-written by Emmanuel Jal & McKenzie, with Blak Twang making further contributions in London.
The musician hopes that making the track free and available to download for friends, supporters and fans worldwide will allow “We Fall” to go viral, as well as allow for more awareness of the issues in Sudan and specifically provide opportunities for engagement & empowerment through the development of GUA-Africa’s educational facility and promotion of education throughout the nation of Sudan.
http://www.myspace.com/emmanueljal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmanuel_Jal
Check out Simon Morris from Sydney, Australia who has embarked upon a year-long bicycle ride to raise funds for GUA Africa. Simon spent time as a teacher in Sudan in the 1990s and became inspired to raise funds for GUA Africa after hearing Emmanuel Jal speak earlier in 2009. Simon has chosen to ride his bicycle to work every day for a year (some 30 kilometres a day) beginning on 19 October 2009.
To find out how to sponsor a day’s ride & for further information please visit http://www.gua-africa.org/news5.php or contact Simon at simonmorris@googlemail.com.
You can lend a hand to the inspired & inspiring Emmanuel Jal & GUA Africa by making a donation, but by also sending everyone you know a link to http://www.pitchengine.com/free-release.php?id=34831 & linking it to myspace, facebook & other social networking sites. Help word of a great song and a great cause reach as many people as possible.
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