Bess, by Pursuit Grooves

Bess

by Pursuit Grooves

supported by

more...

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$10 USD or more
Full Digital Discography

14

releases

Get all 14 Pursuit Grooves releases available on Bandcamp and save 30%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Mo:Delic Island, Big Lips Move Ships Vocal Sample Pack, Sustainable Movements For A New Age, The Telly Tells Tales Sample Pack, Bess, Felt Armour, Mythico, Lift, and 6 more. , and , .

Purchasable with gift card

$93.80 USD or more (30% OFF)

1.	Checkerboard Airdrome (intro) Chicago, 1922 02:01		buy track
2.	Hair Raising 05:16		buy track
3.	Lady Bird 03:14		buy track
4.	Stand Firm on Wings 04:05	lyrics	buy track
You won't deny me I've got a vision inside Over the water you'll find me I move with so much pride Traveled so far I'll do whatever it takes Be back home soon I will determine my fate CHORUS Walking towards destiny Come on and lift me up Let's defy the air Stand firm on wings And don't give up Hate won't dissuade me Wings propel my heart I'll be the first to do it And leave my mark Carefree it's light up here The clouds embrace me Therefore I have no fear CHORUS
5.	Cloud Pusher 04:20		buy track
6.	Daredevil 04:39		buy track
7.	The French Connect 05:26		buy track
8.	Barnstorming 04:26		buy track
9.	Welcome to Columbus (interlude) Ohio, 1923 01:15		buy track
10.	Principal Thrill 03:17		buy track
11.	Parachute 02:20		buy track
12.	I'll Be Fine 03:42		buy track
13.	Aviatrix 04:17		buy track
14.	Norman Studios (interlude) Florida, 1926 01:46		buy track
15.	Yesterday Today Tomorrow 05:06		buy track

about

Bess is a tribute to Bessie Coleman (1892-1926), the first Black American female pilot, who left for France to obtain her international pilot's license in 1921. She studied with master pilots in Europe and returned to the US as a spectacular performer and air trickster. She traveled to schools and theaters presenting her skills on film footage, encouraging others that regardless of extreme racial and gender bias she had followed her dreams during a time when it seemed impossible.

Mostly instrumental with a few interludes and one vocal track, this is classic Pursuit Grooves, genreless but moving between the electronic realms of experimental bass, R&B and house music. All of the interludes and track names are inspired by Bessie Coleman's short yet adventurous life.

credits

released November 15, 2019

Written, Produced and Performed by Vanese J. Smith (BMI)
What Rules Recordings
Mastered by C. Paterson

Book excerpts and interlude text taken from:
Bessie Coleman: The Brownskin Lady Bird by Elizabeth Amelia Hadley Freydberg. Performed by Pursuit Grooves.

NOW Magazine review:
nowtoronto.com/music/album-reviews/pursuit-groooves-bess/
"Pursuit Grooves should really be better known. In addition to being a recording artist, Vanese “VJ” Smith is also a graphic designer, printmaker and DJ, with a history as a rapper and MC. And Bess is the Maryland-born, Toronto-based experimental electronic producer and beatmaker’s 13th album. But not all trailblazers are appropriately recognized in their time."

2019: THE YEAR IN BLACK ELECTRONIC AND DANCE MUSIC
afropunk.com/2019/12/2019-the-year-in-black-electronic-and-dance-music/
"Over the course of its 15 tracks, Bess, Pursuit Grooves’ largely instrumental tribute to Coleman and her achievements, brings a sense of physical and spiritual elevation. Smith is a Maryland-born, Toronto-based, veteran electronic music producer, who makes industrial, experimental, and funky arrangements that take listeners into unknown sonic regions. Tracks like “Cloud Pusher,” with clicks and synths wrapped up in a mechanical narrative, evoke a sense of limitless space and all the sacrifice it takes to get there; and “The French Connect,” with its upright house music structure, stuttering snares, booming kicks, dub-wise bass lines, and air-raid noises, capture the beautiful struggle in song, and give a sense of how weightless Bessie must have felt upon reaching Europe."

Resident Advisor Review:
www.residentadvisor.net/reviews/24473
"That balance of extremes also defines Bess—a consistent interplay between tough, crunchy drums and emotionally charged synths outlines nearly every track—and yet it remains engaging. The music, drawing from Coleman's example, is by turns hopeful and defiant throughout."

theanswerisinthebeat.net
..."The theme is entirely appropriate for Pursuit Grooves’ music, which knows no boundaries and can often feel like it’s weightless and flying through air. She always has a fascinating way of assembling broken beat patterns and unconventional basslines, forming tracks that aren’t clearcut or full of straight lines and logical sequences. Here, her unpredictable compositions interpret the feelings of a brave soul determined to live her dreams and achieve what others may deem impossible."

+++++++++++++Special Thanks:
Anthony Valadez (KCRW), Kerem (Dubmission/WYEP), Simon Harrison (Basic Soul Show), Thristian (Global Roots/Worldwide FM), Lil' Dave (Eavesdrop Radio), Nery (Beat by Beat Radio Show), DJ Moxie (NTS Radio), Jay Scarlett (Sounds Supreme), Neil Sherwood (Tell Me I'm Dreaming), Michelle da Silva (NOW Magazine), John-Paul Shiver (48 Hills), Jamie Groovement (Reform Radio), Francis Redman, rRoxymore, Lakuti, Music is My Sanctuary, Paul Simpson (WCBN), Coast to Coast to Coast (CFUV), Lavender Menace (CJSW), Total Eclipse (CKUT), Afropunk, Will McGiven (SoulandJazz), Musicworks Magazine, Gudrun Gut, Female Pressure, Oli Warwick (Resident Advisor), Philipp Weichenrieder (ByteFM)

license

about

Pursuit Grooves Toronto, Ontario

Experimental Electronic Travels through Soul, Bass, House and Hip-Hop.

Recommendations

contact / help

Contact Pursuit Grooves

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Pursuit Grooves recommends:

Moxie Presents Vol. 5
by On Loop

A very proper collection of upbeat electronic tunes! Pursuit Grooves
go to album

If you like Pursuit Grooves, you may also like:

hybtwibt?
by Space Afrika

supported by 13 fans who also own “Bess”

I have listened to this on repeat since I downloaded it. This is extraordinary, beautiful, it brings me calm davidcundy
go to album
Re-Birth
by OBUXUM

supported by 12 fans who also own “Bess”

No one...and I mean NO ONE makes a record like Obuxum. From beginning to end...incredible. lexleosisfan
go to album
DNA ACTIVATION
by Witch Prophet

supported by 12 fans who also own “Bess”

On "DNA ACTIVATION" Witch Prophet sings from her heart and soul, connecting, resonating, and inspiring the listener. Fusing together elements of electronic, RnB, Jazz, Ambient, and Hip Hop, "DNA ACTIVATION" is an incredible blend of sounds and moods that comes highly recommended. rikm
go to album
Gem Drops Four
by Various Artists

featured on Bandcamp Radio Jul 15, 2014
go to album
Da Rocinha 2
by Sango

Time to get your baile on as Sango returns - sporting his Brazilian hat, and armed with signature shuffling beats. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 23, 2014
go to album

Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Damu The Fudgemunk shares his recent collab with Def Pressé, plus jams from Common and more

listen now

Bess

by Pursuit Grooves

Streaming + Download

$10 USD or more

Full Digital Discography

$93.80 USD or more (30% OFF)

about

credits

license

tags

Tags

about

discography

contact / help

Bess

by Pursuit Grooves

Digital Album Streaming + Download

Buy Digital Album $10 USD or more

Send as Gift

Full Digital Discography

Buy Digital Discography $93.80 USD or more (30% OFF)

Send as Gift

Share / Embed

about

credits

license

tags

Tags

about

discography

contact / help

Streaming + Download

$10 USD or more

$93.80 USD or more (30% OFF)