The Signifying Songtree
Alice Walker, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Ishmael Reed, Thomas Pynchon, Maya Angelou, Phil K. Dick: Where the heck is England among these dimension-opening change-driving doyens of the revolutionary English language novel? (Does the world famous dry-stick racist conservatism of the backwards English establishment still disqualify any art that might actually overturn it’s tyranny of mediocrity? All the way from King Canute they have a long history of foolishly trying to hold back the tides.)
‘The Songtree: A Windrush Tale’ aims to stand in that space as the next step on from the intrepid works of such unreserved literary mould-breakers: like them, immodestly daring to announce new ideas in new ways, yet profoundly humble in offering them so openly and authentically.
Unlike them, however, it does not emerge in a time and place of tentative progressivism, but of increasingly reactionary state-corporatism (i.e. ‘fascism’).
Controlled mainstream media is unlikely to support this novel; the British establishment has denied the real jazz from Tubby Hayes’ and Ginger Johnson’s day (1960s-70s) and only acknowledged it when they could tame, package and sell it. How far this novel succeeds in reaching its readers and achieving its aim is for you, dear reader, to determine.
‘The Songtree’ is a testament to the Jazz family of people-music, including reggae, blues and R&B. It is a testament to the music and the people, and to a privileged lifetime in that world that has taught me it’s all the same vibe, one tribe, and the same musical language, just with slightly different musical accents.
It is a unique jazz novel. Written in Jazz, any resemblance to English is purely coincidental. Sometimes sensitive and lyrical, sometimes raw and funky, ‘The Songtree’ is always foot-tapping-musical, wondrous, soulful and deep.
Instead of chapters this novel has themed ‘solos’; it follows the jazz format of head-solos-head (stating the tune - improvising on that tune - restating the tune). The solos each have their own individual feel and focus on different objects and time-frames, e.g. personal history, ancient mystery, fictional prehistory, Biblical exegesis, pacy action, or futurism.
Like life, like a jazz tune, or like any other organic organism, the different parts make it whole if they fit together right. What ties all solos together in ‘The Songtree’ are the focus on the social significance of the music, the perspective of the (child-)protagonist recounting the tale, and the high-octane live storyteller vibe of lyrical delivery.
For more on all topics to do with Abracadia and its work, don’t forget to check Abracadia’s weekly spoken word offering at the ‘Bit Of Soul Podcast’. Come and say hi, pass by for a try. Be great to see you there. Just roll up anytime to listen, chill and reason at the lush and refreshing oasis that is Abracadia.
Until such time - In Ubuntu
Remi