Aquakultre Highlights Truths, More Music for Black History Month

CBC Music highlights new Canadian tracks each week. This week’s selections focus on music from Black Canadian musicians in recognition of Black History Month. Additional new music can be found on the SYNTH playlist on YouTube.

Bags Packed, Aquakulture

Aquakulture’s new album, 1783, explores 250 years of Black Nova Scotian history. The song Bags Packed reimagines the story of Carm Robertson, a grad student whose family history intersected with that of Ruth Whitehead, a history professor. Robertson’s research revealed that his ancestors were enslaved by Whitehead’s family. The song, set against a backdrop of big band horns, reflects on the difficulty of confronting such truths and the desire to retreat from them. Aquakulture explained in an interview that the song is about understanding the complexities of history and recognizing when those truths are overwhelming.

Top of the Charts, Jrdn and Lane Hall

Jrdn, a Nova Scotia-born R&B artist, has a new project featuring the band Lane Hall. The group, which debuted on CBC’s East Coast Music Hour, has released three singles leading up to a full record. Top of the Charts is a soul-inspired track about Jrdn’s relationship with his daughter, Aaliyah, who appears in the song’s video. The lyrics express a longing for his daughter’s presence and celebrate her as a significant part of his life. The video depicts the two walking through neighborhoods and parks, including Africville, a former African Nova Scotian community demolished in the 1960s.

Sunrise, Dublon, Dana Williams and Jev

The track Sunrise blends dreamy vocals from indie singer-songwriter Dana Williams with the rap flow of Ottawa artist Jev, produced by Norwegian producer Dublon. The song features smooth hi-hats and saxophone instrumentation. Jev’s verses express appreciation for those who support him and his family. Williams’ vocals and piano create a relaxed atmosphere, while Jev’s bars add energy. The song evokes the sounds of BadBadNotGood and Berlioz.

Prince Caspian’s Dream (at Hotel2Tango), Beverly Glenn-Copeland

Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s new album, Laughter in Summer, comprises live recordings from Montreal’s Hotel2Tango studio. Prince Caspian’s Dream, originally released on The Ones Ahead, has evolved over decades. Glenn-Copeland has described the song as a process of receiving inspiration over time, noting that he wasn’t “advanced enough as a soul” to fully realize it earlier in his life. The recording captures a sense of wisdom and love. The song concludes with Glenn-Copeland’s whispered comment, “Oh, that was exquisite.”