You may remember me featuring this song last May, but last night as I listened to it for the first time in ages, I felt that very same rush of ‘WOW’ just as I did when I first heard it a year ago.
Miles Mosley is an upright bassist, composer, producer and arranger who released the single Abraham last April. Originally recorded in 2011 during the infamous marathon sessions at KSL Studios, Abraham is semi-autobiographical and is a tale of bravado in which a man, pressured by his surroundings, continues to lift himself up, something many people can identify with as cultural parameters constantly shift and change with each new generation.
Mosley’s birth name is Abraham, and the story is partly a product of his heritage as he explained in a press release, “I feel as though I am a natural expression of diversity and oneness,” he says. “Being born of a Jewish mother and Southern Baptist father, I grew up in Los Angeles constantly being faced with the pressure and suggestion to be more like one than the other depending on circumstances, thus, I’ve been “soul searching” since I was 5. The first book my mother ever gave me to read was the “Tibetan Book of the Dead,” so I cultivated an early adoration for powerful texts, and their effect on different societies. ‘Abraham’ was written to feel like a powerful arrival of self-knowing. To step on stage in front of thousands of people, introduce myself through song, and share my voice both personally and through my unique approach to the instrument is an honor, that’s why I make sure I play my bass loud enough for even my ancestors to feel.”
The Jazz musician has teamed up with members of the L.A collective, West Coast Get Down to compose this stunning piece of exuberant musical brilliance. Not to mention just how impressive Miles’ bass playing is, though if you watch this live performance I found, you will see that for yourself. Performed at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, CA with a superb backing orchestra, this is spectacular! Check out video above.
World Galaxy / Alpha Pup Records released Abraham last April, download your copy from here.
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