This Is Book's Music

The Tucson, Arizona-based Fort Lowell Records has become one of my favorite independent labels, with a good range of artists who have made some quality music. All of their releases have been released as 7″ records, but for their brand new project they’re going all out, and for good reason (and a cause).

Luz De Vida‘s subtitle is A Compilation To Benefit The Victims Of The Tucson Tragedy, in reference to the shooting that happened in the city on January 8, 2011. The album was put together with help from Music Against Violence, and the music on here feature songs that are in response to the shootings that had taken place, along with artists who have simply done songs about tolerance, making positive changes, and more. The digital download features 37 artists, including tracks from OzomatliRobyn Hitchcock, Tracy Shedd, Calexico, Jimmy Eat World, Meat Puppets, and more.

The 1-LP vinyl version trims the selections down to 12, but those who do buy the LP (on yellow vinyl) will be able to download the full digital version album for free. However, the vinyl version does feature an exclusive track not inthe digital format, a cover of Sam Cooke‘s “A Change Is Gonna Come” performed live by Chango Malo. The song has been used effectively for a number of things in the last 50 years, most notably by film director Spike Lee in the scenes before Malcolm X was shot to death in the biopic Malcolm X.

What I like about the reduced selection on the vinyl pressing is that it tends to focus on less, which may allow some listeners to focus on the songs and artists a bit more. Even with a good range of rock, pop, and acoustic material here, I found one of the best songs on here to be “Luz a la Vida” by Mariachi Luz de Luna. The music is timely, for it’s not only a celebration of life, but a plea to simply live as you are, and I get an incredible sense of a family/community vibe in the song. In many ways, the song indirectly says “we are Tucson, we are Arizona, and we love it here”.

The shootings that happened that day were senseless, but the compilation is one way of uniting and say “life truly goes on, and let’s make this life better together”.

(To order the vinyl pressing, check out the official Fort Lowell Records blog. For digital orders, please use the Amazon box below, or click here.)

All proceeds from the sales of the album go to the Tucson Together Fund.