"Bicycle: A Transportation Communique" on sale now for $7.47 @ cdbaby.com
Half of all sales will be donated to National Resource Defense Council (NRDC), The International Bird Rescue Research Center, and Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research to support Gulf of Mexico restoration and protection.
Bicycle: A Transportation Communique
In keeping with social justice values of The Dialectics, half of all download sales will be donated to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC), The International Bird Rescue Research Center, and Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research to support their efforts in protecting and restoring the environment in the Gulf of Mexico following the disastrous British Petroleum (BP) oil spill.
"Bicycle: A Transportation Communique" is a celebration of artistry, identity, and liberation over dance inducing, experimental soundscapes. Grounded in an indie hip-hop aesthetic, the jazzy poetic lyricism of Eric Wilkinson, soulful vocals of Jai Hamilton, and earthy MC deliveries of Emily Bruner conjure the gods and goddesses of hip-hop infancy while delivering liberation philosophy over captivating riffs and infectious rhythms. The quest to get free is met time and again with a resounding YES. "Bicycle: A Transportation Communique" takes the listener to new spaces and sounds, opening bike paths of perception with dirty bass lines and creamy style flows.
"Bicycle: A Transportation Communique" derives its title from the song, "Bicycle," which promotes bicycle riding as a form of resistance to oil wars, environmental destruction, and big oil companies that threaten our national security and exacerbate divisions between the haves and have-nots of the world. The song explores the aesthetic value and sustainability benefits of riding bicycles. It draws inspiration from 'take back the street' movements occurring across the world, led by youth committed to maintaining public spaces and The Commons.
The notion of a "communique" first entered into lead songwriter Eric Wilkinson's consciousness during his graduate Sociology studies of the Zapatista movement in Mexico. The powerful communiques of Subcomandante Marcos moved Wilkinson deeply. Wilkinson later became involved in the grassroots anti-corporate globalization movement and participated in the Seattle Protests against the World Trade Organization. Wilkinson's poetry book, "Black through a Distortion Pedal" (San Francisco Bay Press, 2010), explores themes of sustainability, pop culture, and counter culture, which are prevalent throughout the "Bicycle" EP.
"Bicycle: A Transportation Communique" sees bicycle riding as not only environmentally conscious but also super sexy. Wilkinson rhymes, "Ipod full of beats/ banana bike seat/ I was starstruck by her pedicure feet/ And skirt as she traveled/ Pavement un-leveled/ Olympian feat like Misty May she medaled."
Wilkinson's artistic commitment to illuminate the sex appeal of social justice issues is evident in the choice of album cover, which features a bikini clad model washing her bicycle. The photograph was taken by Wilkinson and reflects his ongoing project to work with popular culture and fashion, not against it, to render intellectualism and social justice sexy and hip.
"Bicycle," written in 2009, eerily anticipated the 2010 British Petroleum Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. Wilkinson wrote the following lines in 2009, "Dippin' from the paper boys and their dirty papers/ Exxon Mobil BP can catch the vapors/ Foreign Operators down with the C.I.A./ Once we off that junk everything will be ok/ No more disarray blue skies and street signs/ Pimps in control of American pipelines."
"Bicycle" is a crowd favorite at Dialectics shows and two different versions of the song are included on the EP. The first version is produced by The Dialectics resident producer/DJ/keyboard musician J.K. 47 and the other version features the live instrumentation of Dave Cobb and Nick Coleman.
About The Dialectics
The Dialectics are a live hip-hop band with 4 to 7 members. No one knows the exact number for sure, and The Dialectics refuse to issue an estimate for fear that they might leave someone out. Taking their cues from live-band acts like The Roots and Digable Planets, The Dialectics use real guitar, keys, bass and drums to breath life into break beats. They trade in samples for the spoken word. They are pioneers in the use of manual hand claps.
The Dialectics have released three EP's, Styles of Resistance (2007), Origins of Blast (2008), and Bicycle: A Transportation Communique (2010).
The Dialectics have shared the stage with Blackalicious, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Coup, Hotpipes, Nappy Roots, Cunninlynguists, Cee Know the Doodlebug of Digable Planets, Seven Mary Three, Mud Kids, Chico Felini, Villebillies, Mass Hysteria, The Running, John the Baptist, Pugz Atomz, The Pacifics, Midwest Hype, Devine Carama, DJ Intel, Symbiance, Nemo, Us Band, Attempt, Tryptamine Arkestra, Big Fresh, Marcus McFly, Tommy and the Try Tones, and The Sundown Service.
Early Dialectics shows were based on the jazz ethic of blending notes and rhythms on the fly. In recent years, The Dialectics have incorporated greater use of structure and minimalist pop sensibilities into their music without losing their critical edge. Audience participation is common, and encouraged. Whether building epic walls of sound or just banging out a crowd pleaser, The Dialectics bring it. Eric Wilkinson takes crowds through the highs and lows of postmodern experience, distilling the most prescient philosophical issues of the day. Dave Cobb drops double ill drum beats. JK-47 stuns and stunts with his turntabilism and keyboard skills.
The group is in the lab with their newest addition, soul vocalist Julia Curiel, crafting romantic lullabies inspired by Brazilian sunsets and underground Parisian sex parties. Tour dates are in the works.
History of The Dialectics
The Dialectics formed in late 2006 under the leadership of poet emcee Eric Thomas Wilkinson. Wilkinson started rapping at age 9. He released his first self-produced rap tape at age 12 under the stage name "Chilly E." Wilkinson recorded and performed throughout high school. In college, he shifted to writing and performing poetry. After performing poetry with a house jazz band at the University of Kentucky's Black Student Union "Mic Check" event, Wilkinson was inspired to form The Dialectics. Original members included Josh Fisherkeller on bass, Dave Cobb on drums, and Lane Miller on guitar.
The Dialectics played their first show at an infamous underground venue called The Ice House in Lexington, KY. The show featured the Rakadu Gypsy Dancers with installment video by Eli Scar. Following the initial show, Jai Hamilton joined the band as a supportive rapper/singer and her role in the band grew over the next couple years. Wilkinson was the primary songwriter and reveled in the opportunity to write lyrics for a young female vocalist. Renown DJ/producer JK-47 joined the band in 2007. Talented rapper Emily Bruner and bass player Nick Coleman played with the group in 2007-2009.
The Dialectics current roster features creator/rapper Eric Wilkinson, drummer and guitarist Dave Cobb, vocalist Julia Curiel and DJ/keyboard player J.K. 47.
Since The Dialectics conception, Wilkinson writes songs that theorize and deconstruct the world. One critic called Wilkinson "the first truly postmodern rapper." He has drawn inspiration from artists such as David Byrne, Beck, and Ishmael Butler (Digable Planets, Cherrywine). Wilkinson's vocal style has often been compared to Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest.
Wilkinson's poetry book, "Black through a Distortion Pedal," was published by San Francisco Bay Press on May 19, 2010. It is available for purchase at sanfranciscobaypress.com, amazon.com, and independent book stores across the country.
Discography
Styles of Resistance (2007)
Origins of Blast (2008)
Bicycle: A Transportation Communique (2010)
"Bobby Hutton (Can You Rock It Like This?)" with Guest Emcee Nemo (Us Band) at The Dame 11.06.08
"Incognito" at The Dame in Lexington, Ky 11.10.07
"Flaneur" at The Dame in Lexington, Ky
Esalaah's Beat Box Shout Out to JK-47
JK-47 in the Lab
The Dialectics Styles of Resistance EP (2007)
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