Alex's Africa Project
ADINKRA
Here is where you can learn and find out all about my self-produced album titled Adinkra!
WHAT IS ADINKRA?
While on tour with Biscuit Miller and the Mix , we frequently play shows in Key West, FL. I would explore the island during off time and while exploring I would pass by Higgs Beach, which is the area that holds the always inspiring West Martello Tower Botanical Gardens, the Key West Aids Memorial (the pier is one of my favorite places on earth), and the Key West African cemetery. After spending time at the cemetery and reading the story behind the memorial, I started imagining that each Adinkra proverb that is displayed had it's own story behind it and I wanted to tell that story in my own way through music. It's been quite a journey since I started the project in 2015 to get all the songs written and recorded in between a full-time tour schedule but I am proud to say that "Adinkra" is the result of this hard work!
I hope you buy the album and enjoy the music while you read the story and each proverb while listening to each song and let your imagination wander!
Thanks!
-A
ADINKRA
Album Credits
Osram:
Alex Smith
Akoma Ntoso:
Drums and Percussion : Frank Donaldson ,
al guitars, bass, keyboards : Alex Smith
Mixed and mastered at National Recording Studios , Milwaukee, WI
Nyam biribi wo solo
Percussion: Frank Donaldson
Acoustic guitar , bass , keys: Alex Smith
Sankofa
Composition, Guitars, and Percussion: Alex Smith
Organ: John Ginty
Bass: Pete Griffin
Drums: Dan Whitelock
Bass and Drums recorded @ York Recording Los Angeles on Jan 31, 2019 by Tim Moore
Organ recorded by John Ginty
Mixing assistance provided remotely by Dylan Cocozzo
Gye Nyame
Organ and keyboard: Damiano Della Torre
Guitars , bass , and keyboards and percussion programming : Alex Smith
Nkonsonkonson
Drums : Frank Donaldson
all other instruments : Alex Smith
Mixed and Mastered by Daniel Zelonkey at National Recording Studios, Milwaukee, WI
Wawa Aba
Piano Solo: Damiano Della Torre
second Guitar solo: Harry Hmura (who also did some co-producing/arranging)
snare drum Frank Donaldson
all other instruments Alex Smith
some arrangement suggestions by Ethan Brosh
EPA
Drums Frank Donaldson
all other instruments : Alex smith
Mate Masie
Guitars Alex Smith
bell synthesizers: Damiano Della Torre
Osram 2
Alex
Production Credits:
Frank Donaldson's Drums and percussion were recorded by Griffin Kenna @ HoneyJam Studios, Chicago, illinois
all songs are compositions of Alex Smith and (unless otherwise noted) all instruments were recorded , mixed, and mastered by Alex at various personal studio locations using Pro Tools and Apple computers... if you have more questions about any of the credits or the project, please reach out to Alex @ alexwsmit@gmail.com
Hope you enjoy!!
Photo Credits:
Alex and Brett