Chicago-born composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Ben LaMar Gay has announced a new album. Open Arms to Open Us arrives November 19 (via International Anthem/Nonesuch), and it includes the new song ‘Sometimes I Forget How Summer Looks on You’, which features vocals from Ohmme’s Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart. Check out its music video below.
In addition to Ohmme, Open Arms to Open Us features contributions from multi-disciplinary Rwandan artist Dorothée Munyaneza, poet A.Martinez, cellist Tomeka Reid, and vocalists Onye Ozuzu, Gira Dahnee, and Angel Bat Dawid. Gay recorded the album from March to June 2021 at International Anthem Studios in Chicago and produced it with Dave Vettraino.
“Open Arms to Open Us deals with rhythm as an inheritance of information—sort of like DNA or RNA,” Gay said in a statement. “Coping with the present-day bombardment of data and recycled ideologies from sources essentially fed by the creed “Destroy Them. Own the Earth,” often leaves me with only one thing to look forward to: Rhythm.”
Open Arms to Open Us Cover Artwork:
Open Arms to Open Us Tracklist:
1. Sometimes I Forget How Summer Looks on You [feat. Ohmme]
2. Hood Rich Happy
3. Band Melodically Bang
4. Aunt Lola and the Quail
5. Mestre Candeia’s Denim Hat
6. Oh Great Be the Lake
7. I Be Loving Me Some of You
8. Nyuzura [feat. Dorothée Munyaneza]
9. Slightly Before the Dawn
10. Lean Back. Try lgbo [feat. Onye Ozuzu]
11. Dress Me in New Love
12. Touch. Don’t Scroll [feat. Ayanna Woods]
13. I Once Carried a Blossom [feat. A.Martinez]
14. In Tongues and in Droves [feat. Tomeka Reid]
15. S’Phisticated Lady [feat. Gira Dahnee and Angel Bat Dawid]
16. We Gon Win
