Soundtrack 63' Remixes the Movement That Shaped an Era

    NEW YORK, NY, September 24, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Soul Science Lab in partnership with 651 Arts and Elektric Breakfast present the remount of Soundtrack '63, a live music and 3-screen multi-media retrospective of the Civil Rights
Movement on October 3rd and 4th at The New School's Tishman Auditorium.

"Soundtrack '63" features a host dynamic of performance artists that breathe new life into the sights and sounds that shaped the music of an era, to the tune of an 18-piece orchestra, commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Sonia Sanchez and performances by Abiodun Oyewele of The Last Poets, Jessica Care Moore, Blitz the Ambassador, John Robinson ("JR"), Raphael "RAII" Smith & Whitney Keaton (RAIIWK), Chen Lo, Asante Amin and others.

The concept of the comprehensive musical performance was developed by artist, educator and Soul Science Lab co-partner Chen Lo in 2013. He was commissioned by 651 Arts to create a millennial response to the major events of the Civil Rights Movement and other significant moments in history that have defined much of contemporary America. Reflecting on the racial climate, Dr. Cornel West recalls the year feeling and cultural highlights of 1963 in the United States: "There was a sense that American apartheid and terrorism against Black people was beginning to shake [in 1963]. 1963 was right on the precipice of the cultural explosion. See we were dancing to James Brown, Curtis Mayfield and a lot of Motown was just starting." - Dr. Cornel West

Chen Lo, together with business partner Asante' Amin as the musical director on the production in collaboration with visual arts collaborative, Elektric Breakfast, composed a dynamic presentation that soulfully explores the culture of the time through images, video, jazz, hip-hop, soul and poetry. The production takes the audience on a compelling journey from the continent through milestone events in African-American history, connecting generations with the richness of the African-American experience.

"The music of 1963 was the soundtrack to a transformation. It inspired generations of African descendants to reclaim their humanity. The spirituals of the past brought faith and courage; pop tunes were an escape from harsh realities; and truth-tellers sang with a soulful defiance that electrified the Civil Rights Movement. The music of '63 still resonates with piercing clarity. "Soundtrack '63" is my attempt at telling that story and connecting it to today." - Chen Lo, creative director, "Soundtrack '63" and co-founder and managing partner, Soul Science Lab.

Thoughtfully tailoring the presentation to edutain audiences with incredibly talented performance artists, a comprehensive definitive musical selection and visuals, Asante Amin reveals, "We've come face to face with our people's struggle because we've had to go in the archives and look at a lot of footage. I've had to listen to a lot of music, so I've come face to face with the very soul and essence of Black people." Recognizing the magnitude and potential of the production to impact audiences, the Soul Science Lab co-founder submits, "We have an opportunity to illuminate attention around one of the single most important movements in American history. There's never been anything like "Soundtrack '63" that seamlessly takes the music, visuals and the sentiments of the time and creates a documentary for all of the senses."

After witnessing how the performances mesmerized audiences during the production's first run in 651 Arts' "Movement 63" season, the Brooklyn-based arts organization's Executive Director, Shay Wafer shares, "What is amazing about this event is that it is in an intergenerational event; it's perfect for families and folks of all ages." She adds, "It's a rare opportunity that you find an event of that quality and of that level of artistic integrity; "Soundtrack '63" is one of the highlights of my career."

The second presentation of "Soundtrack '63" returns Friday, October 3rd and October 4th at 7:30 p.m. at The New School's Tishman Auditorium, located at 66 West 12th Street New York, NY 10011. Advance tickets are available online at http://bit.ly/SdtrkTIX. Tickets will not be available at the door.

To learn more about Soundtrack '63 visit www.651arts.org/on-stage/event/soundtrack-63-the-new-school. RSVP on for Soundtrack '63 on Facebook. To learn more about Soul Science Lab, visit www.soulsciencelab.com. To connect with Soul Science Lab, visit the Soul Science Facebook page, follow Soul Science Lab on Twitter @SoulScienceLab and on Instagram @SoulScienceLab. Follow the online conversation with the hashtag #Soundtrack63. To watch videos of the 2013 Soundtrack '63 presentation, visit Soul Science Lab's YoutTube channel.

Downloadable performance images, bios and other Soundtrack '63 press assets are available at http://bit.ly/Sdtrk63DB. *Photo credit: Xyenz Fyxion of XyFy Fotography

To learn more about 651 Arts, visit www.651Arts.org. To learn more about Elektric Breakfast, visit www.ElektricBreakfast.org.

For all Soul Science Lab media and booking inquiries, please contact Jasu Sims at [email protected] or at (646) 820.9859.

About the Soul Science Lab
Soul Science Lab (SSL) is a Brooklyn based music production-company with an empowering approach to self-expression. Co-founder Chen Lo is a seasoned artist, educator and creative director. This visionary mind has toured the globe; performing and leading master classes for Jazz at Lincoln Center. Co-founder Asante' Amin is a gifted multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer. A MetLife Meet the Composer award winner, Amin is a musical director ahead of his time. SSL's current projects include: Chen Lo's 2013 album Footprints Amin's 2014 album The Visitor and Soundtrack '63, a multi-media, musical and millennial retrospective on the Civil Rights Movement, explored through images, video, jazz, hip-hop, soul and poetry.

In partnership with Brooklyn-based African diaspora based performing arts organization 651 Arts, Soundtrack '63 features a host of performance artists who breathe new life into the sights and sounds that shaped the music of the Civil Rights Movement, to the tune of an 18-piece orchestra, commentary by Dr. Cornel West, poets Sonia Sanchez and Abiodun Oluwele of The Last Poets, Blitz the Ambassador, John Robinson (JR) and others. The 2014 remount of the production is scheduled to take place on October 3rd-4th, 2014 at The New School's Tishman Auditorium. To learn more about Soul Science Lab, visit www.soulsciencelab.com.

About 651 Arts
651Arts is Brooklyn based performing arts organization that seeks to deepen awareness of and appreciation for contemporary performing arts and culture of the African Diaspora, and to provide professional and creative opportunities for performing artists of African descent.

Since 1988, 651 ARTS has been committed to developing, producing and presenting performance and cultural programming rooted in the African Diaspora, with a primary focus on contemporary performing arts. 651 ARTS serves the cultural life of New York City, with a particular focus on Brooklyn, one of America's most culturally diverse communities. To learn more about 651Arts, visit www.651Arts.org.

About Elektric Breakfast
Led by an all women team, Elektric Breakfast is a visual arts collaborative working in time-based media, live video performance and multi-media installation. Composed of artists and educators, Elektric Breakfast creates visual events that foster critical dialogue on the contemporary mediated experience. Using both documentary and conceptual genres, Elektric Breakfast explores the potential of interactive art experiences through video, animation, sound, installation and storytelling to cultivate political engagement and multiply channels of access for audience collaboration. For more information on Elektric Breakfast, visit www.elektricbreakfast.com.

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