For those not in the know, much like myself, the RHINO collaboration (out now) was conceived at the height of the pandemic, during the first quarantine, with all of life-human and beast-scrambling for safety and security. The project took on the soundtrack of the times.

Tracks with such vulnerability and heart - you can hear it and even more poignantly for me because these are my friends playing so generously and graciously. I was so touched by that every time a track came in. I am awake thinking tonight of international friends, family and wishing you and all our world’s most vulnerable and endangered beasties safety and calm. This music is our gift to you. – Linda Cushma

Oxygene8 features bassist and vocalist Linda Cushma (USA), best known for her work with this experimental ensemble. The project also features guitarist Federico Miranda (Costa Rica), co-founder of the Costa Rican rock band Gandhi & Baula Music, promoting environmental conservation & awareness through music; Tim Alexander, drummer for band PRIMUS, plays tom-toms on the RHINO soundtrack; guitarist Pablo Tato (Spain/UK) is a studio musician that has worked with producers such as Paul Epworth (Adele, Paul McCartney, U2) and now resides in London.

The RHINO EP mix & magic by Steve Parrish (USA) @ Desert Coast Studio.

1. Rhino [7:33]
2. Santa Monica [4:47]

Opening on the funky, finger-snapping, foot-tapping, Chapman stick-imbued, musical majesty of the title track, everything about this near eight minute long opus, along with their Santa Monica cut (a more swarthy hipsway of a melodic interlude, but nonetheless as powerful a decree as its predecessor), means that both are simply mesmerizingly fluid, and ornately orchestrated to bring forth the highly emotive environmental conservation and awareness messages formed within.

Official Digital Purchase Links

Linda Cushma @ Facebook