‘Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)‘ is the latest release by Apex Zero, as he continues to develop his living visual album ‘Drummer Warrior Storyteller‘. Collaborating with brilliant, multidisciplinary artists, the album is made (so far) of films, paintings, metalwork, photography, costume design, drum circles, immersive theatre productions and more.
The track features Malian singer and master kora player Moussa Dembele and poetically expresses Apex’s perception shifting journey as he strives to focus less on the struggles of life and to appreciate the beauty of existence in all its forms.
‘Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)’ is the first track released from ‘Drummer Warrior Storyteller (Part Two)‘. Both the track and EP symbolise a significant change in the ideas and style expressed in the album’s first part.
The Kora is a traditional West African storytelling instrument, and Moussa Dembele’s virtuoso musicianship and atmospheric vocals build the perfect vibe for Apex Zero to channel the traditions of the Griot and Djeli, the story keepers of African oral histories.
The lyrics of ‘Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)’ were largely inspired by Apex’s journey to the Venezuelan Amazon, where he experienced the sacred Yopo ceremony of the Piaroa people under the guidance of Great Shaman Rufino Ponare.
Apex documented this life changing experience in the film ‘Release the Fear: The Sacred Journey‘ built around the album of Roots singer Natty. In ‘Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)’ Apex reflects on how his worldview has developed in the years since in creative, expressive lyricism that shows his skill as both an emcee and spoken word artist.
In the spirit of ‘Drummer Warrior Storyteller’, the creativity inspired by ‘Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)’ is not limited to music. Apex worked with two long standing collaborators, Chiba Visuals and Slim Yearwood, to create stunning visuals that signal the next phase of the living album’s visual element.
The world built by the filmmakers, who have all undertaken similar rituals with plant medicines, contains powerful symbolism and visual effects to capture the feelings, emotions and Spiritual insights the experiences endowed them with. Shot between Venezuela, Peru, Barbados and London, the visuals work beautifully with the music and lyrics to celebrate life, honour Ancestors and The Most High, and express gratitude and appreciation for existence and creation.
‘Drummer Warrior Storyteller (Part Two)’ will be released May 19th 2023 as the second film and EP in the series, alongside more exhibitions, screenings and live performances. The other tracks on the EP – ‘You (On Love)‘ and ‘Live Life (On Livity)‘ – were made with legendary UK Hip Hop producer Micall Parknsun and Ghanaian songstress Elia-Naa. As well as the people and places mentioned above, the film was made with visionary filmmakers Alicia Warner and Ekua McMorris, and contains footage from Uganda and Sheffield featuring pioneering metalsmith Roxanne Simone, cultural polymath Muti ‘Mutivation’ Musafiri, jewellery from rising star Lucie Gledhill, Ugandan traditional drummers Nilotika Cultural Ensemble and footage from Break Fast Jam 2018 and Afri-cans Street Art Fest 2018 .
The film also contains deeply personal photographs and footage of Apex’s immediate family across four generations. ‘Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)’ is out now on all streaming platforms. ‘You (On Love)’ will drop on May 5th 2023, followed by ‘Drummer Warrior Storyteller (Part Two)’ on May 19th 2023. All visuals will be released on Apex’s new official artist channel.
Apex Zero
- https://www.apexzero.co.uk
- https://www.twitter.com/ApexZero00
- https://apexzero.bandcamp.com
- https://www.instagram.com/apex.zero
- https://www.facebook.com/apexzero00
- https://open.spotify.com/artist/6TpC8D5NKavsxa2hQWrvQh