Notes
Fi Yi Yi and the Mandingo Warriors New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians This is the first release of music from Fi Yi Yi and the Mandingo Warriors Mardi Gras Indian tribe. The EP features music written by Big Chief Victor Harris and members of the tribe. The percussion arrangements are by Wesley "The Drummer" Phillips." The music was recorded in New Orleans in the studio and on the street. Big Chief Victor Harris has been masking as a Mardi Gras Indian for nearly fifty years. In 2014 he will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of Fi Yi Yi and the Mandingo Warriors. Mardi Gras Indian tribes are groups of African-Americans who have been parading in New Orleans since the Nineteenth Century to celebrate the Culture. Fi Yi Yi and the Mandingo Warriors celebrate their African ancestors with their African-inspired drumming. The Big Chief's mask is inspired by Africa and the hard journey to the Americas. • Fi Yi Yi will perform music from the album at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Thursday, 2nd May, 2013 at 2:50 pm on the Jazz and Heritage Stage. Tracks are: 1. Fi Yi Yi (Mardi Gras Day) (Mardi Gras Mix) (9:00) - Victor Harris, Wesley Phillips, Jack Robertson/Fi Yi Yi Publishing- BMI, Pertunia Publishing - BMI, Pursuance Music-BMI 2. Run Away (Mardi Gras Mix) (5:32) - Victor Harris, Wesley Phillips/ Fi Yi Yi Publishing- BMI, Pertunia Publishing - BMI, Pursuance Music-BMI 3. Sing My Song (Mardi Gras Mix) (4:23) - Victor Harris, Jaz Sawyer/ Fi Yi Yi Publishing- BMI, Pertunia Publishing - BMI, Pursuance Music-BMI 4. Who Got the Fire (Mardi Gras Mix) (5:05) - Victor Harris, Wesley Phillips/ Fi Yi Yi Publishing- BMI, Pertunia Publishing - BMI, Pursuance Music-BMI 5. Back Street Jam (Sylvester Sr's Second Line) (1:40) - Victor Harris, Wesley Phillips, Jack Robertson/ Fi Yi Yi Publishing- BMI, Pertunia Publishing - BMI, Pursuance Music-BMI 6. Let 'Em Come (Mardi Gras Mix) (5:20) - Victor Harris, Wesley Phillips/ Fi Yi Yi Publishing- BMI, Pertunia Publishing - BMI, Pursuance Music-BMI Who they talk about, What they talk about, When they talk about? Fi Yi Yi The Spirit of Fi Yi Yi: Big Chief Victor (Fi Yi Yi) Harris The Mandingo Warriors: Mr. Jack Robertson, Master of the Needle and Thread Wesley "The Drummer" Phillips, Master Drummer Musicians: Big Chief Victor Harris - Lead Vocals, Spoken Word, Percussion Jack Robertson - Background Vocals, Percussion Wesley "The Drummer" Phillips - Background Vocals, Djembe, Talking Drum, Percussion Percussion arrangements by WESLEY "THE DRUMMER" PHILLIPS Additional Personnel on Sing My Song: RONALD MARKHAM electric bass, organ, background vocals KHARI ALLEN LEE alto saxophone, background vocals LEON "KID CHOCOLATE" BROWN trumpet, background vocals DEREK DOUGET tenor saxophone WESSELL ANDERSON III trombone, background vocals DELFEAYO MARSALIS trombone (Courtesy of Troubadour Jass Records) JAZ SAWYER drums, congas, percussion, background vocals (Courtesy of Pursuance Records). Also, drums on Track 1. Produced by Jaz Sawyer and Kevin Martin. Executive Producer: Kevin Martin for Pertunia Foundation. Recorded in the great city of New Orleans ("Yeah, You Right!") by Tim Stambaugh at Word of Mouth Studios (June and August, 2012) and Richard Bird at Audiophile Recording Studios (March, 2012). Back Street Jam (Sylvester Sr's Second Line) recorded live in the Sixth Ward by Kevin Martin. Mixed by Eric Moffat and Jaz Sawyer. Mastered by Eric Moffat @ UnSound Recording, San Francisco, CA. Graphic Design and Manufacturing: Diana Thornton Photography: Kevin Martin. ©2013 Kevin Martin Dedicated to the Ancestors and Teachers who led us on the path. Special thanks to Sylvester Francis, Sr. and the Backstreet Cultural Museum. ©2013 Pertunia Foundation.
