Overcome (Gate)

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing in gatefold jacket. Overcome is a new Dave Douglas recording, alongside vocalists Fay Victor and Camila Meza, trombonist Ryan Keberle, bassist Jorge Roeder, and drummer Rudy Royston, who banded together over a period of months to create a new album of songs. A statement of purpose, an acknowledgement of forebears, and an exhortation to activism, Overcome involves the six musicians in an emotional and powerful statement of human engagement towards justice: Racial justice. Climate justice. Voting justice. Gender justice. The project began with a reimagining of the Civil Rights anthem, "We Shall Overcome," featuring Victor and Meza each singing a verse before joining for arousing final verse. As Douglas began working on the originals for the album, this unique communal vocal interplay became a key element of three more pieces: "Overcome" and "When We Are Together Again" are both inspired by the challenges of pandemic isolation; "Good Trouble" celebrates activist John Lewis. Victor takes the spotlight on "Peace" as she voices poignant poetry from Langston Hughes. And the free-spirited Royston original "Perspective" brings a nice balance to the proceedings. This is spirited communal music on a mission. Released direct-to-fan previously, the LP is available worldwide for the very first time.