Michael Gregory Jackson, the visionary guitarist namechecked as a vital influence by modern masters like Vernon Reid, Brandon Ross, Bill Frisell and Nels Cline, releases his first-ever solo electric guitar album, Electric Git Box (Golden Records). Available exclusively at the artist’s Bandcamp site, the digital offering boasts 11 unaccompanied solo guitar pieces showcasing the breathtaking stylistic scope and technique of this critically-acclaimed and influential guitarist’s singular work.

The album includes both reinterpretations of Jackson originals dating back to his 1976 solo debut, Clarity, Circle, Triangle, Square, as well as a host of powerful new work. The release will include liner notes comprised of reflections on Electric Git Box from Oliver Lake, Vernon Reid, Bakida Carroll, Ed Motta, Brian Jackson and Brandon Ross, as well as a poem written for the project by authur/playwright/poet Jessica Hagedorn, with additional writings from Jackson.

Jackson says of Electric Git Box, “The nature of beauty is at the core of my being and my music, alongside aggression, passion, fire, and powerful feelings of personal independence and creative freedom. This project was borne of an angst-full period for me, I was feeling inundated with tragedies, the isolation of Covid lockdowns, re-occurring police and vigilante killings of Black people, and living with the omnipresent reality of systemic racism. I was feeling angry, disconnected and erased; thus, I recorded this music with some edges, some distortion, to communicate the multifaceted well of emotions that birthed this performance.”

He goes on to explain, “My guitars, which I’ve called ‘git boxes’ since my teens, have always been my companions and a sanctuary to me, vehicles to help me through the angst of my younger life, and now. Through my guitars, I discovered discipline, self-awareness and inspiration, my git boxes opened a conduit, a dive in deep access and connection to the blues-ness in me.”

‘FEAR’ is one of the first songs I wrote and recorded in 1979 when I formed MGJ’s SIGNAL! This is the third iteration of the band; Ray Mason - bass, Chet Pasek- drums and Barry Harwood - acoustic piano and keyboards. I recorded this shortly after my 1979 'Heart & Center' album on Arista Records when I decided I'd start a 'rock' band. I'm excited to say there's more music I will release from SIGNAL! - MGJ

Music and spoken words are multicolored threads intertwined, a piece of elaborately woven aural tapestry.

‍

I’m looking forward to a bright new future. I’m calling for an end to the destruction of natural habitats, of willful polluting, and over fishing, no more toxic waste and chemicals dumped in our oceans and waterways, a call for an end to fossil fuels, coal mining and the environmental racism of extractive capitalism. All of these issues disproportionately impact Black and brown people, for the profit of the few to the detriment of the rest of us and our planet.

One of many environmental activists to follow, to join:
Kari Fulton, who comes from the school of thought that everything you do is connected to the environment in some capacity. She calls her generation “Generation Why Not?”, and works to mobilize people by building awareness of the connection between environmental issues and social justice issues. Fulton co-founded www.Checktheweather.net  a national online community and web platform to amplify the voices of young people of color advocating for environmental justice. In her capacity at EJCC, Fulton trains hundreds of young people at more than 50 universities, particularly students of color at historically black colleges, about the importance of building a green movement.

‍