In this wild world, a growing number of us have begun to wonder if the Beatitudes might contain the keys to our liberation.

These ancient sayings, spoken by Jesus, offer a nine-statement manifesto for a new world order.

A counter cultural narrative for our times. A welcome not a weapon; tender not toxic, inviting not divisive. A call for a tribe of people to live life 'nine beats to the bar'.

In them we hear the whispers of another world, the invitation to a path of recovery - whatever your story, whatever your struggle, wherever you find yourself.

Ergo, the Nine Beats Collective is a collaboration of world class musicians, artists, and songwriters exploring the ancient wisdom of these aforementioned beatitudes.

Their highly acclaimed album Nine Beats to the Bar is an eclectic soundscape of R&B, soul, rock/pop, acoustic threads, classical, jazz/funk, African vibes, and a hint of gospel.

1. "Awakening" - Eric Leroy Wilson
2. "Call 'Em Out" - Eric Leroy Wilson
3. "Blessed Are The Undead" - Heatherlyn
4. "Flame" - Deborah Pritchard
5. "#blessed" - Vince Anderson
6. "Wild World" - Barry Taylor
7. "Purgation" - Eric Leroy Wilson
8. "9/8" - Eric Leroy Wilson
9. "Child 613" - Tony Bean
10. "Kosi" - Ambassada
11. "Tread Softly" - Deborah Pritchard
12. "Lament" - Fatai
13. "Song For The Earth" - Deborah Pritchard
14. "Illumined" - Eric Leroy Wilson
15. "The Beatitudes" - Mikael R Andreasen
16. "What Can Love Create" - Heatherlyn
17. "Towards The Sun" - Deborah Pritchard
18. "Letting It Go" - Heatherlyn
19. "Serenity" - Martin Trotman
20. "Nine Beats To The Bar Theme" - Mikael R Andreasen
21. "Union" - Eric Leroy Wilson
22. "The Way Of Peace" - Caleb Quaye
23. "In Recovery" - Heatherlyn
24. "Nine Beats To The Bar" - Mikael R Andreasen
25. "Farther" - Eric Leroy Wilson
26. "Give In To The Love" - Heatherlyn

"Awakening" is an introduction to the album in a way that it abounds with TV soundbites about the state of the world today. Eric Leroy Wilson evokes that same message with "Call 'Em Out," with the beautiful vocals styling on "Blessed Are The Undead" of Heatherlyn following close behind.

The tone is quietened on "Flame" from Deborah Pritchard, and then the vibe is turned up to 11 on the brilliantly vibrant "#blessed" from Vince Anderson. Barry Taylor's upbeat "Wild World" follows seamlessly along next, before the tone is reduced one again on the poetry slam "Purgation" by Eric Leroy Wilson.

Wilson then brings us "9/8" which is followed by the gentle, peaceful chanting of "Child 613" from Tony Bean. The sweetly beautiful hipsway of "Kosi" from Ambassada is one of my own personal favorites here and that's followed by the haunting orchestral work of "Tread Softly" from Deborah Pritchard.

Fatai's powerful ballad "Lament" is next and that's backed by both another stoically orchestrated cut from Pritchard, "Song For The Earth," with Wilson back on the spoken word "Illumined." The euphoric "The Beatitudes" from Mikael R Andreasen oozes class and dedication to the belief, and that's backed by "What Can Love Create" from Heatherlyn.

Another chance to listen and admire a solo violin piece from Pritchard comes to the fore on "Towards The Sun," which is followed by the beautiful "Letting It Go" (again from Heatherlyn), with "Serenity" from Martin Trotman along next. "Nine Beats To The Bar Theme" from Mikael R Andreasen entices us in with some beautiful, gentle sax work, before Wilson's spoken word is back on "Union."

The soulful R&B of "The Way Of Peace" from Caleb Quaye is yet another delight here on what has firmly now become one of my favorite albums of 2018, and that's followed by more soulful, honest vocals from Heatherlyn on "In Recovery."

"Nine Beats To The Bar" from Mikael R Andreasen is next, and then the album rounds out with the rockin' spoken word beats of "Farther" (Wilson), before ending on more from music from the delightful Heathelyn, this time with "Give In To The Love."

Simply put, Nine Beats To The Bar is haunting; a cry; a new beat. It's soul; adventure; lament; and rage. It's a love song. And most of all, it's a movement. Come join them.

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