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This is a live recording from Trans-Formations: a Brilliant and Dark remix event, which took place at The Others independent arts space, London, in November 2012. This non-studio, unmastered recording is intended to serve purely as documentation of the event.

Watch a short video of the event (3.48 min): vimeo.com/78085478

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from Trans​-​Formations live - a Brilliant and Dark remix album (2012), released September 1, 2016
By Namvula Rennie and Mish Aminoff (photography, guitar and voices).“Working off of the theme of continuity through the ages, and the remix score lyric "my voice as ages fall", we are exploring - through imagery and spoken and sung word - destruction and re-birth, how through (seeming) chaos order can re-emerge, and how "voices" are kept alive through time.

We are referencing a female Yoruba deity called Oya (which also pays homage to the original women’s WI choir of 1969). Oya is the deity associated with destruction and chaos (tornadoes, storms, winds) but also of change and transition, and her chaos is often a means of creation. The Yoruba deities
with the strongest characteristics have existed across ages, through suffering, have traveled oceans and been scattered across alien countries, and yet, despite being "reborn" with slight variations, their
characteristics and stories have remained largely intact: they have remained the vessels and manifestations of living cultures and religions, even through death (brought about by the slave trade). We reference Oya also as the gatekeeper of cemeteries: a place of death, transition, but
also birth into the other world. The concept of working with deities is important as they are the living entities in the world beyond our vision - on the other side of the invisible barrier. They are present yet not, they are the bearers and manifestations of tradition, they are the continuity despite the change, they are the thread in the tapestry.

Working with a West African riff, we also reference the concept of griots - the lineage bearers and storytellers, who keep history and tradition alive and present through the ages.

This is a first collaboration from singers and photographers Mish Aminoff and Namvula Rennie, who sang together for several years in an Afro-Cuban choir, and has opened an exciting opportunity for them to bring together their distinct influences and creative energies.”

Zambian – Scottish singer and songwriter Namvula has collaborated and shared the stage with leading artists on the 'world music' circuit, including award-winning vocalist Maureen Lilanda (Zambia), critically-acclaimed griot and kora player Kadialy Kouyaté (Senegal / UK), and, most recently, the legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela (South Africa). She performs in an eclectic range of projects, from experimental to southern African a capella and Cuban big band, as well as leading her own band. She is currently working on her debut album. Namvula is also a photographer, and exhibits frequently.

www.namvularennie.com namvula.com

Born in London of Persian & Israeli origin, Mish Aminoff is a lens-based artist and lecturer in film studies and visual culture. In 2010 she was shortlisted for the London Photography Award and has since participated in group shows as well as having a solo exhibition at The Phoenix Cinema in the summer of 2012. Mish transitioned into singing following her love of dance and percussion and is a long-term member and soloist with the award winning London Lucumi Choir. She also sings with the Cuban carnival band Orquesta Bombo.

www.flickr.com/photos/mishaminoff/
www.eastfinchleyopen.org.uk/mish_aminoff.php
www.londonlucumichoir

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Ellen Southern Bristol, UK

Selected Releases / Live Recordings / Collaborations / Archived works.

"A strength that can only come from the unseen and the unheard, giving life to bone rattling ritualistic transmissions" - Rough Trade Bristol

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Works Archive: www.ellensouthern.co.uk

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