MIXTAPE

WORDS: HANNABIELL SANDERS & YILIS SURIEL

Hello! Hannabiell Sanders and Yilis Suriel here. We are the Ladies of Midnight Blue, an Afro-Latin percussion and brass duo. We also perform with and manage the Hannabiell & Midnight Blue Collective. We are the directors of Harambee Pasadia CIC, a cultural organisation who create, organise and manage activities and events showcasing music, dance, arts, theatre and film from the African diaspora. Collaborating with artists, activists, cultural and learning institutions, venues, and community organisations is at the core of our philosophy. We’ve got some great events coming up over the next few months which include Roots Rhythms All Tribes One Vibe Gathering on Saturday 28th May at ARC in Stockton, at which we encourage audiences to get together and celebrate our diversity at a unique party of global beats!

Later in the year, Hannabiell Transmuted is a new stage show featuring Ladies of Midnight Blue and Hannabiell & the Midnight Blue Collective, which is part of Hannabiell’s artist residency at Sage Gateshead, taking place on Thursday 16th June. The joyful party that is Harambee Pasadia, an Afro-fusion music and arts festival, takes place from Thursday 23rd-Sunday 26th June at TCR the Hub in Barnard Castle, and will be the seventh Edition of our four day music and arts extravaganza in celebration of diverse cultures, foods, music, artists and fusions of the African diaspora. For more information visit: www.harambeepasadiafestival.com. Here are some of our favourite songs which inspire Harambee Pasadia, they remind us to choose love, hope and to be the change that we want to see.

www.hannabiell.com www.yilisdelcarmensuriel.com

ALICE COLTRANE - JOURNEY IN SATCHIDANANDA

This song was our introduction to the brilliance of Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders.

PHAROAH SANDERS - LOVE IS EVERYWHERE

We blast this song whenever we want to transmute sad or negative energy into joy and positivity.

LADIES OF MIDNIGHT BLUE FEATURING CLIMBING POETREE - PROTEST CULTURE

We love Climbing Poetree and were honoured to have them collaborate with us and write the lyrics for this song. It truly represents what we believe in.

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK - FOOTSTEPS ON MY JOURNEY NOW/ BREATHE

This song is always on rotation. It almost acts as a meditation and has a grounding effect.

KOFFEE - TOAST

This is an inspirational banger that makes us dance as soon as we hear the intro riff. It makes us sing along to “Blessings all pon mi life and/Mi thank God fi di journey, di earnings a jus fi di plus”.

BEYONCÉ FEAT. NIJA CHARLES, MOONCHILD SANELLY, BUSISWA GQULU, DJ LAG, TIERRA WHACK, YEMI ALADE - MY POWER

Oh my goodness this tune is powerful and empowering and is always played at full volume!

CALLE 13 FEAT. TOTO LA MOMPOSINA, SUSANA BACA, AND MARIA RITA - LATINOAMÉRICA

The song tells a story of Latin America, the pride of its people, the richness of the land and also offers a critique of the government.

JOE ARROYO & LA VERDAD - REBELIÓN

Salsa music and dancing brought our circles together, formed the foundation of our friendship and our musicking together. This song tells a story about slavery, respect and rebellion. When it plays Hannabiell always sings the trombone and trumpet parts and Yilis sings along to the lyrics.

THEON CROSS, MOSES BOYD, NUBYA GARCIA - PANDA VILLAGE

These three artists are amazing and we listen to their musical outputs for inspiration.

CHILDISH GAMBINO - THIS IS AMERICA / RESIDENTE FT. IBEYI - THIS IS NOT AMERICA

As activists both This is America by Childish Gambino and This is Not America by Residente are great examples of why we continue to strive to help make this world a better place and remind us to not become complacent.