Borderlines & Bloodlines by Germa Adan

ALBUM TRACKLIST AND NOTES

1. Je Yo || Their Eyes
Lyrics by Germa Adan - An ode to the eyes of my ancestors and all that they have witnessed - with special thoughts and considerations placed on the eyes of the ancestors who identified as women, they who carried the universe

2. Singing Queen
Lyrics by Pierre-Richard Narcisse from the poem ‘Renn Chantrel’

3. Borderlines & Bloodlines feat. Xhosa Cole
Lyrics by Germa Adan - a song inspired by findings of ancestry and DNA and the questions that are left hanging in the air after such discovery. What one has perceived as defined lines and spots are essentially blurred, leading to further exploration of identity and belonging

4. Umbrella Man
Lyrics by Germa Adan - a song inspired by growing up in Haiti and going into markets, observing human behaviour in markets and growing up listening to traditional storytelling that often carries an overarching theme; this song is about a man who sells umbrellas on sunny days and is upset about not making any sale

5. The Journey song feat. Kadialy Kouyate
Song inspired by a family tradition of sending one off with positive words of blessing before on embarks on a journey

6. Turn Turn Turn
A moment to turn and hold space for George Floyd and all tragic incidents of police brutality or mishandling of power fueled by racial profiling. This piece is also inspired by a similar incident that is very personal and dear to Germa

7. Give me a little light
Arrangement of ‘Banm Youn Ti Limye’ by Manno Charlemagne

8. Wildflower
Lyrics by Emmanuel W. Vedrine from the poem ‘Fluer Sauvaj’

9. The Women of Dan
Lyrics by Audre Lorde from the poem ‘The Women of Dan (Dahomey Kingdom) Dance with Swords in Their Hands to Mark the Time When They Were Warriors’

10. Mountain song
Lyrics by Germa Adan - a song inspired by the diasporic desire to return and connect to Haiti and the desire to return to what feels wholesome and pure. It is also inspired by the perpetual call to return to ‘home’ wherever and whatever it may be, and ultimately the return to the feeling of home within oneself

11. Where the wild things are feat. Xhosa Cole
Lyrics by Maurice Sendak from the book Where the Wild Things Are. An abstract exploration of the various themes that could be drawn from this childhood book - boundlessness and freedom, the thin line between innocence and beastliness, as well as love

12. Bonus track: Souvni feat. Kadialy Kouyate
Lyrics by Emmanuel W. Vedrine from the poem ‘Souvni’ - a poem about pinning over lost love, soothing one’s heart and reminding the departed lover of a promise made

Tracklist

1.	Je Yo \|\| Their Eyes	5:45

2.	Singing Queen \|\| Renn Chantrèl	5:50

3.	Borderlines & Bloodlines feat. Xhosa Cole	6:20

4.	Umbrella Man	5:52

5.	The Journey Song feat. Kadialy Kouyate	4:21

6.	Turn Turn Turn	2:52

7.	Give me a little light	5:23

8.	Wildflower	4:22

9.	The Women of Dan	3:24

10.	Mountain Song	3:57

11.	Where the wild things are feat. Xhosa Cole	7:40

12.	Bonus track: Souvni feat. Kadialy Kouyate	6:44

Credits

released October 27, 2023

ALBUM PERSONNEL

Germa Adan - Producer, arranger, composer and songwriter Track 1-12: lead and backing vocals, String parts (violin), Acoustic Guitar, Synthesiser/keyboard (tracks 1,5,& 7) and hand percussion (track 5)

Duncan Thornley - Co-producer track 1-12, Synthesiser/keyboard (1,5, 6 and 11) and hand percussion (11)

Xhosa Cole - Track 3 and 11: flute, saxophone and vocalisation
Kadialy Kouyate -, Kora (Track 5 and 12) and voice (12)

Sam Davies - Track 2 and 3: Rhodes piano and Synthesiser/keyboard
Twm Dylan - Track 1-4 and 11: double bass and electric bass
Jonno Gaze - Track 2-4: drum kit and percussion
David Austin Grey - Rhodes piano and co-producer (track 1), co-arranger for track 11 melody
Euan Palmer - Drum kit ( Track 1)

Recorded at: Map Studio, London (tracks 1-12) & Sansom Studio, Birmingham UK (track 1 & 7)
Mixed by: Duncan Thornley
Mastered by: Stephen Kerrison at Tall Trees Audio Mastering

License