Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution the national museum of the United States. They are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation preservation and dissemination of sound. Folkways Records believe that musical and cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of life throughout the world. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials Folkways Records seek to strengthen people s engagement with their own cultural heritage and to enhance their awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage of others. Our mission is the legacy of Moses Asch who founded Folkways Records in 1948 to document “people s music ” spoken word instruction and sounds from around the world. The Smithsonian acquired Folkways from the Asch estate in 1987 and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has continued the Folkways commitment to cultural diversity education increased understanding and lively engagement with the world of sound.

“Kings Queens and lesser royal emeshed in a web of til and toil; They crossed a sea in great despair from Timbuktu to Congo Square.” This collection of music and poetry by Bilal Abdurahman is an investigation of the roots of African American music. Abdurahman s awareness of the unmistakable influences of African musical traditions on jazz is shown on this album as he plays various African instruments including the balaphone [balafon] and the halam[xalam] in the music which accompanies his jazz poetry.