Many Bodies, One Mind - Diana Purim and Krishna Booker of Eyedentity

Published: May 8, 2018, 5:24 p.m.

b'This Episode Presented by JamBoxx - www.JamBoxx.com "Styled after a harmonica, the MIDI wind controller is a new way to play music with your slightest breath"

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\\u201cMany in body but one in mind\\u201d is an ancient Buddhist concept which signifies a unity that has at its heart, respect for the diverse and unique qualities of each individual. This unity can be formed only among those who respect one another and cherish each other\\u2019s unique attributes and abilities, while working in harmony to compensate for one another\\u2019s weaknesses. In essence, many people having the same feeling, thought or aim toward a goal.
This has been a major theme for Eyedentity over the years and through many transformations since its inception in 1997. Searching for their own voices in a family of giants, it can be witnessed in the desire of its founding members to individuate themselves from their legendary forefathers, all the while preserving, sharing and honoring their history as they forge ahead together into the musical unknown.
Diana Purim began her musical career in 1972, touring with Chick Corea\\u2019s Original Return to Forever in the belly of her mother. She grew up on the road traveling like a gypsy from country to country with her parents, Brazilian Jazz pioneers, singer Flora Purim and percussionist Airto Moreira. Krishna Booker is the son of renowned Jazz bassist, Walter Booker, nephew of Wayne Shorter and godson of Herbie Hancock. Credited by Herbie in his book for introducing him to Hip Hop and the idea for \\u201cRock It\\u201d, Krishna began his musical career beat-boxing for Herbie. He later went on to making original music with Diana, his wife and childhood friend.
The two share a deep love of music and a background in Jazz, Funk, Brazilian and Latin Fusion. Their passion for all kinds of music fueled the fire of their creativity and together, they stretched the boundaries of Hip Hop by fusing it with all their multicultural musical influences. \\u201cFor the purists, we remind them that even Jazz is an art form born of Blues and Classical music. In fact,\\u201d explains Diana, \\u201call of the world\\u2019s music has evolved from its most primitive indigenous origins, being shaped and molded by geographical, political, social and cultural influence to become what it is today.\\u201d
Using their Hip Hop experience to carry them through their first Trip Hop venture, they found some success with a single called \\u201cHeavy Interference\\u201d from their first release. \\u201cIt was a struggle for us to find our true sound,\\u201d says band leader / composer / percussionist / producer, Krishna. \\u201cWe\\u2019ve been influenced and inspired by so many styles of music and were using the Eyedentity platform to experiment with them all. Although we had some brilliant moments, we hadn\\u2019t achieved a homogenous and unified sound until now. I feel like we have finally found Eyedentity\\u2019s identity with this new album.\\u201d
During the search for their unique Urban/Brazilian sound, they began to notice commonalities in the art and music of varying countries, especially within the slave
culture, music, spirituality and art of oppressed peoples. In Brazil, slaves were allowed to bring their culture from their countries of origin. We clearly see this reflected in their spirituality, dance, art, food and music. The slaves in America were more restricted and forced to abandon their culture for the customs of their oppressors or risk being beaten or killed for not complying. Yet somehow, they found other ways of expressing their authenticity without risking life and limb through the musical mediums of Jazz, Blues, Rock, Hip Hop, etc\\u2026'