Pacem 2: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: “1968”

Pacem 2 picks up where Brown’s writing left off (before the pandemic saw him growing his prison arts program, Pros and Cons, into a national charity, and building the Hotel Wolfe Island into an arts facility supporting rural economy) — bringing lifelong themes and musical relationships into focus in 11 original works, and a soulful cover of Fred Neil’s Dolphins.

Categories: Hugh Christopher Brown, Music

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Brown mirrors present-day events in the turbulent episodes of 1968, drawing parallels with the violence, disinformation and drastic efforts of authoritarian regression.

“Every time I look at ’68 — which was the year of my birth — the upheaval and violent resistance to change is overwhelming. The instrumental which opens the album is both a processional and an elegy — Dr. King, RFK, the Catonsville 9, state murders of Black Panthers, the Chicago 7, Prague Spring, Berlin and Paris movements… it just goes on… the year always felt heavy, and currently instructive."

The reflection finds sound in an album not confined by genre. Piano instrumentals like 1968 and Beautiful Place sit side by side with pop songs like Your Love, Guilty and the poetic collage of Prometheus.

CREDITS

Released April 1, 2024

61 minutes of music include contributions from major figures in Brown’s many musical circles: lifelong collaborator Kate Fenner, Bourbon Tabernacle Choir bandmates Chris Miller and Jason Mercer (Ron Sexsmith, Ani DiFranco), Tony Scherr (Norah Jones, Bill Frisell), Michael Blake (Lounge Lizards), Wolfe Islanders Sarah McDermott and Pete Bowers, and David Corley, The Holmes Brothers, Rosanna Goodman, Alison Russell, J.T. Lindsay, and emerging young Somali artist, Issa 4F, all making appearances.

REVIEWS

"...Some of the finest songs of his extensive discography. (Pacem 1 & 2) sound like the story of Brown’s life, about his personal philosophy (pacem is Latin for peace), about the intersection of his professional and social spheres, about his varied musical and political interests — and about where he’s at right now."
— Michael Barclay, That Night In Toronto

“Pacem 2 is Brown’s masterpiece... The song structures are so unique and compelling and Brown’s piano playing is so sophisticated and lyrical. There are few albums that are as genre-defying in style... At a time we are pulled in so many other directions, this album is a rare guided meditation. If you believe that music is a catalyst for healing, then you will love Pacem 2.”
— Ira Israel, Good Men Project

THE PACEM 2 VIDEO PLAYLIST