First, enjoy the video:
After that, let the excerpts play...
- 1 We are the Descendants (in 79 Languages) - Steven Chesne
- 2 Pyramid of Descendants - Steven Chesne
- 3 Swahili: Who are the Descendants? - Steven Chesne
- 4 Liberators of Descendants - Steven Chesne
- 5 Seeds of Descendants - Steven Chesne
- 6 Train of Descendants - Steven Chesne
- 7 Mongolian: Who are the Descendants? (Electronic Version) - Steven Chesne
- 8 Descendants: Moderato Con Moto - Steven Chesne
- 9 Descendants Voices in the Clouds - Steven Chesne
- 10 Xhosa: Who are the Ancestors Living as Powerful Spirits? - Steven Chesne
- 11 Mongolian: Who are the Descendants? (Orchestral Version) - Steven Chesne
- 12 The Descendants Shuffle - Steven Chesne
- 13 Descendants, Take a Bow - Steven Chesne
- 14 Descendants Finale - Steven Chesne
While you read the story below...
The Inspiration
I had been thinking about the fragmentation of civilization and the growing fear dividing us.
I thought about how - deep inside - we know that we are all made of the same material. We are all descendants from a common origin.
We forget.
But if reminded, it’s familiar
knowledge.
Worldwide Outreach
I focused on the phrase “we are the descendants." Over about a year of outreach, I contacted native speakers in 78 non-English languages, and asked them to translate this into natural phrases within each language.
I composed a melody for each one that would allow them to interweave with all of the other international phrases in song #1, “We are the Descendants (in 79 Languages)”, along with the English language rap.
Arranging Recordings Around the World
Another year was spent seeking brilliant, talented
Vocalists from all over the world to record
these phrases. Recording sessions were
arranged ...
From Madagascar to Albania, from Kenya to
Netherlands, from Germany to South
Africa.
Experimentation with the Phrases
I felt like a mad scientist in a laboratory, experimenting with the phrases, seeing what other pieces of music could be born from this precious material.
14 songs were created for the collection, most using these phrases. Also included are a few solo songs which ask the question, “who are the descendants?” The rest of the album answers powerfully with all of the international phrases singing, “we are the descendants.”
Rapper Fredo Bang Performed the English Lyrics
Besides these phrases, the only other lyrics on the record are an English-language rap in the first song.
Platinum recording artist, American rapper, Fredo Bang performed the English verses. His powerful, commanding style brought a beautiful energy to the song.
Calling in the "Big Guns"
I had been used to mixing and producing my own work for years. But finding myself surrounded with 79 international tracks, all recorded quite differently, a complete pallet of electronic textures, and complex symphonic orchestral tracks, I started to feel like I had bitten off more than I could chew. How does one balance all these elements so that they can coexist and not overwhelm the listener?
I sought help from the amazing sonic wizard, 25-time Grammy nominated Richard Furch (Prince, Usher). He beautifully refined my tracks to better achieve the kind of clarity and balance I was reaching for.
After doing more recomposing and arranging, I had gotten myself in deep all over again! I asked the extraordinary, gifted producer, Snipe Young (Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé) to help me solve sonic issues towards the end of the production.
“While there are countless things that various peoples and cultures disagree about, even to the point of violence, one thing that we all accept in common is the fact that we all descend from a common source, whatever that may be.”
Steven Chesne
