GRAMMY-nominated ensemble Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science released a powerful pair of new singles that tackle systemic change in honor of Juneteenth, which has been celebrated since the 1800s by African Americans across the country to commemorate the end of slavery. From the forthcoming album Trip the Night Fantastic (out July 31 via Candid Records), “Abolition Song” and “Solidarity Song” are out now

Featuring renowned civil rights activist Angela Y. Davis, emcee Kassa Overall, and vocalist Debo Ray, “Abolition Song” draws on Fannie Lou Hamer’s wisdom to advocate for transformative justice and her potent phrase: “Nobody’s free until everybody is free.” It is paired with “Solidarity Song,” a satirical, country blues track featuring legendary R&B singer Miki Howard, who plays the Black woman who “Ain’t takin’ no mess” from the white guy – GRAMMY-nominated jazz musician Larry Goldings – who’s "protecting” what’s “his.” Together, these tracks explore the prison-industrial complex and partisan division, using provocative lyrics and sophisticated grooves to champion collective liberation.

The moodier “Solidarity Song” is a brilliant parody of the “left” and “right” of America, who in the end come together, ultimately realizing that they have a shared enemy. “They realize that their differences can be exploited to keep them fighting against each other and distracted from the common forces of oppression,” shares Carrington. “The song, which also features guitarist Marc Ribot, seeks to enlighten both “sides” to the fact that we’re stronger together.”

In an exclusive with FLOOD, Carrington explains, “Both ‘Solidarity Song’ and ‘Abolition Song‘ speak to the spirit of Juneteenth and the struggle for justice in America. ‘Solidarity Song,’ written by Matthew Stevens and myself, is a parody that sketches the interaction between two people of opposing views that starts off rocky, but ends well with an understanding that they have more in common than they thought and that ‘the system’ doesn’t really care about either of them. This is where we are now in our current political landscape. Understanding the struggle of others requires empathy, courage, and curiosity. Forces of division and distraction will always be present for fear of a solid unification of the working class.”

“And ‘Abolition Song,’” she continues, “is like an intro to the idea of rejecting the punitive justice system and replacing it with ideas of how to care for everyone so that this system becomes obsolete. The U.S. holds a disproportionate percentage of the world's prison population, disproportionately impacting low-income communities and people of color. The song asks, ‘Where is the love?’ When America decides to take care of all of its people, and rejects greed and hatred, the for-profit prison system will fall, allowing the focus to be on human dignity, transformative justice and systemic change.”

Miki Howard adds, “What a great pleasure it was to work with the legendary Terri Lyne Carrington in the studio on ‘Solidarity Song.’ Terri creates purposeful music. Music that not only inspires but documents the times. Music that will last forever. I’m impressed with the endless passion Terri brings to each song, the respect for the songs’ needs, abandoning the complaints of ‘critics’ or conventional restraints or commercialism. To serve the song is the goal. I know ‘Solidarity Song’ will be a timely offering and will inspire more love. Thank you Terri for sharing your love.”

More info on Trip The Night Fantastic here

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