The Essence of Kwanzaa

~ Release by Bill Summers (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Annotation

© 1997 Monkey Hill Records

Track 2 is named "Ujimaa" in the track listing of the booklet, but "Ujamaa" on the full lyrics page which looks more correct and was entered in this submission.

Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout: ✳✳2027-49738✳1B+
Rights Society: BMI

Annotation last modified on 2025-05-18 08:55 UTC.

Tracklist

1▼CD
#TitleRatingLength
1Ghetto Get Up
engineer:
Michael Schlesinger (US engineer) and Bill Summers
bass:
Parker Shy (musician, arranger and bassist from New Orleans who lived in the Hollygrove neighborhood)
drums (drum set), horn, keyboard and percussion:
Bill Summers
piano:
Knick Smith (American Pianist, Producer, and Songwriter)
background vocals:
Vinx (Vincent Vinx De Jon Parrette)
lead vocals:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist) and Vinx (Vincent Vinx De Jon Parrette)
arranger:
Bill Summers
vocals arranger:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Bill Summers and Vinx (Vincent Vinx De Jon Parrette)
recording of:
Ghetto Getup
writer:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Bill Summers, Vinx (Vincent Vinx De Jon Parrette) and Rogee Wilson (songwriter)
4:46
2Ujamaa
engineer:
Bill Summers
producer:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Bill Summers and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
keyboard:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist)
percussion:
Bill Summers
background vocals:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Bruce (BY) Richardson (backing vocalist), Bill Summers and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
lead vocals:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist) and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
arranger:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Bill Summers and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
recording of:
Ujimaa
writer:
Reginald Boyd (lyricist and songwriter), Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Bill Summers and Kevin Toney
4:41
3Imani
engineer:
Neil Kaplan (engineer and vocalist), Bill Summers and Darnell Stephen Summers (brother of Bill Summers)
co-producer:
Darnell Stephen Summers (brother of Bill Summers)
producer:
Bill Summers
bass:
Parker Shy (musician, arranger and bassist from New Orleans who lived in the Hollygrove neighborhood)
drums (drum set) and percussion:
Bill Summers
finger snaps:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist) and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
guitar:
Michael Koschorreck
keyboard:
Darnell Stephen Summers (brother of Bill Summers)
trumpet:
Mike Hunter (Trumpet player)
background vocals:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Phillip Manuel, Bill Summers and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
lead vocals:
Phillip Manuel
arranger:
Michael Koschorreck, Bill Summers and Darnell Stephen Summers (brother of Bill Summers)
vocals arranger:
Phillip Manuel
recording of:
Imani
writer:
Thorton Hinkle (songwriter), Phillip Manuel, Bill Summers and Darnell Stephen Summers (brother of Bill Summers)
5:43
4Kujichagulia
engineer and producer:
Bill Summers
Batá drum [bata], congas, drums (drum set) [chaguoro], güiro, shekere and timbales:
Bill Summers
bell [bells]:
Kenyatta Simon and Bill Summers
djembe and dunun:
Kenyatta Simon
piano:
Knick Smith (American Pianist, Producer, and Songwriter)
trumpet:
Mike Hunter (Trumpet player)
background vocals:
Yvette Bostic-Summers (percussionist, backing vocalist and vocalist), Cynthia Dewberry, Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Rhonda "Mama Efuru" Johnson (backing vocalist and arranger) and Bill Summers
lead vocals:
Cynthia Dewberry
arranger:
Kenyatta Simon, Knick Smith (American Pianist, Producer, and Songwriter) and Bill Summers
vocals arranger:
Cynthia Dewberry and Bill Summers
recording of:
Kujichgulia
writer:
Cynthia Dewberry, Knick Smith (American Pianist, Producer, and Songwriter) and Bill Summers
7:27
5Dit It Done It Wit It
engineer:
Neil Kaplan (engineer and vocalist)
bass:
William “Billy Bass” Nelson
drums (drum set):
Ossie Davis
guitar:
DeWayne “Blackbyrd” McKnight (US guitarist)
background vocals:
George Clinton (US funk musician), Brian Fleming (aka Kool Ace), Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Rhonda "Mama Efuru" Johnson (backing vocalist and arranger), Bill Summers, Yvette Summers, Bonita Woods (backing vocalist) and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
lead vocals:
George Clinton (US funk musician)
arranger:
Ossie Davis, DeWayne “Blackbyrd” McKnight (US guitarist), William “Billy Bass” Nelson and Bill Summers
vocals arranger:
George Clinton (US funk musician), Koolaide (arranger) and Bill Summers
recording of:
Did it done it wit it
writer:
George Clinton (US funk musician), DeWayne “Blackbyrd” McKnight (US guitarist), William “Billy Bass” Nelson and Bill Summers
5:02
6Ujima
engineer:
Michael Schlesinger (US engineer) and Bill Summers
bass:
Sekou Bunch
drums (drum set):
Rayford Griffin
guitar:
Ray Fuller (US blues guitarist Donald Ray Fuller)
keyboard:
Darrell Smith (US jazz pianist)
percussion:
Bill Summers
piano:
Don Wyatt
background vocals:
N’Dea Davenport, Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Bill Summers and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
lead vocals:
N’Dea Davenport
arranger:
Sekou Bunch, Ray Fuller (US blues guitarist Donald Ray Fuller), Darrell Smith (US jazz pianist), Bill Summers and Don Wyatt
vocals arranger:
N’Dea Davenport and Bill Summers
recording of:
Ujima
writer:
Sekou Bunch, N’Dea Davenport, Ray Fuller (US blues guitarist Donald Ray Fuller), Rayford Griffin, Darrell Smith (US jazz pianist) and Bill Summers
5:45
7Kuumba
engineer:
Daniel Ryman and Bill Summers
co-producer:
Matt Barado (producer) and Daniel Ryman
producer:
Bill Summers
drums (drum set):
James Mingo Lewis (percussionist, worked with Santana)
guitar:
Samba Ngo
percussion:
Yvette Bostic-Summers (percussionist, backing vocalist and vocalist), James Mingo Lewis (percussionist, worked with Santana) and Bill Summers
background vocals:
Yvette Bostic-Summers (percussionist, backing vocalist and vocalist), Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Richard Howell, Rhonda "Mama Efuru" Johnson (backing vocalist and arranger), James Mingo Lewis (percussionist, worked with Santana), Bruce (BY) Richardson (backing vocalist) and Bill Summers
lead vocals:
Richard Howell
arranger:
James Mingo Lewis (percussionist, worked with Santana), Jaee Logan (Jackie Kevin Logan; aka Jay Logan; producer, songwriter, vocals coach, musical director, session musician, son of saxophonist Giuseppi Logan) and Bill Summers
vocals arranger:
Richard Howell, Rhonda "Mama Efuru" Johnson (backing vocalist and arranger) and Bill Summers
recording of:
Kuumba
writer:
Richard Howell, Rhonda "Mama Efuru" Johnson (backing vocalist and arranger), Jaee Logan (Jackie Kevin Logan; aka Jay Logan; producer, songwriter, vocals coach, musical director, session musician, son of saxophonist Giuseppi Logan), Presage (vague songwriter) and Bill Summers
4:11
8Nia
engineer and producer:
Bill Summers and Darnell Stephen Summers (brother of Bill Summers)
co-producer:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist) and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
bass:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Densy Noel (bassist), Bill Summers and Eric Ti-I-Taming (bassist and vocalist)
drums (drum set) and percussion:
Bill Summers
guitar:
Michael Koschorreck
piano:
Darnell Stephen Summers (brother of Bill Summers)
background vocals:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Michelle Noble (backing vocalist), Bruce (BY) Richardson (backing vocalist) and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
lead vocals:
Ebo Shakoor and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
arranger:
Michael Koschorreck, Bill Summers and Darnell Stephen Summers (brother of Bill Summers)
vocals arranger:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Ebo Shakoor, Bill Summers and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
recording of:
Nia
writer:
Reginald Boyd (lyricist and songwriter), Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Ebo Shakoor, Bill Summers and Darnell Stephen Summers (brother of Bill Summers)
5:59
9Yekola
engineer:
Daniel Ryman
co-producer:
Matt Barado (producer) and Daniel Ryman
bass and drums (drum set):
James Mingo Lewis (percussionist, worked with Santana)
guitar and lead vocals:
Samba Ngo
horn:
Gavin DiStasi
percussion:
Yvette Bostic-Summers (percussionist, backing vocalist and vocalist), James Mingo Lewis (percussionist, worked with Santana) and Bill Summers
saxophone:
Bobby Strickland
background vocals:
Yvette Bostic-Summers (percussionist, backing vocalist and vocalist), Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), James Mingo Lewis (percussionist, worked with Santana), Samba Ngo, Bruce (BY) Richardson (backing vocalist), Bill Summers and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
arranger:
James Mingo Lewis (percussionist, worked with Santana), Samba Ngo and Bill Summers
vocals arranger:
Samba Ngo and Bill Summers
recording of:
Yekola
writer:
James Mingo Lewis (percussionist, worked with Santana), Samba Ngo, Presage (vague songwriter) and Bill Summers
3:59
10Umoja
engineer and producer:
Bill Summers
berimbau and spoken vocals [narrator]:
Alonzo McAlpine (percussionist)
drums (drum set) and percussion:
Bill Summers
background vocals:
Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Rhonda "Mama Efuru" Johnson (backing vocalist and arranger), Bruce (BY) Richardson (backing vocalist), Bill Summers and Yours Truly Chaddy 1 P.U.S. (vocalist)
lead vocals:
Rhonda "Mama Efuru" Johnson (backing vocalist and arranger)
arranger:
Bill Summers
vocals arranger:
Rhonda "Mama Efuru" Johnson (backing vocalist and arranger) and Bill Summers
recording of:
Umoja
writer:
Ben Hunter (songwriter), Rhonda "Mama Efuru" Johnson (backing vocalist and arranger) and Bill Summers
4:28
11Bahia Lady
engineer:
Michael Schlesinger (US engineer) and Bill Summers
cello:
Ronald Cooper
percussion:
Mike Shapiro (drums) and Bill Summers
viola:
Brenton Banks
violin:
Mark Cargill (violinist), Susan Chatman and Michael White (American jazz violinist)
background vocals:
Kevin Shapiro (Phish archivist)
lead vocals:
Huey Jackson and Carlos 'DuDu' Martinez (percussionist and vocalist)
vocals:
Carlos 'DuDu' Martinez (percussionist and vocalist) and Bill Summers
arranger:
Huey Jackson, Mike Shapiro (drums), Bill Summers and Michael White (American jazz violinist)
vocals arranger:
Huey Jackson, Bill Summers and Michael White (American jazz violinist)
recording of:
Bahia lady
writer:
Huey Jackson, Carlos 'DuDu' Martinez (percussionist and vocalist), Bill Summers, Michael White (American jazz violinist) and Rogee Wilson (songwriter)
5:53
12Sure Wa
engineer and producer:
Bill Summers
Batá drum [bata]:
Lazaro Galarraga and Bill Summers
claves, congas, percussion [dkekere] and wood block [cata]:
Bill Summers
handclaps:
Yvette Bostic-Summers (percussionist, backing vocalist and vocalist) and Bill Summers
background vocals:
Yvette Bostic-Summers (percussionist, backing vocalist and vocalist), Lazaro Galarraga, Lawrence 'Keng' Harvey (vocalist), Rhonda "Mama Efuru" Johnson (backing vocalist and arranger), Phillip Manuel, Robin Parson (backing vocalist), Carol Pierre (backing vocalist) and Bill Summers
lead vocals:
Lazaro Galarraga
recording of:
Sure we
writer:
Lazaro Galarraga and Bill Summers
3:40

Credits

Release

art direction:Frank Quintini (Monkey Hill Records, Producer, Engineer)
liner notes and mixer:Bill Summers
associate producer:Yvette Summers
executive producer:Frank Quintini (Monkey Hill Records, Producer, Engineer)
mastering:Master Digital Corporation (editor)
artwork:Synthia St. James (visual artist)
publisher:Bilsum Music
Fadeyemo Music
Gooseneck Music
Jonsongs
Presage Music
copyrighted (©) by:Monkey Hill Records
recorded at:Holy Christ Elementary School Kids 4th Grade Class '97
Images Studios (Czech mastering studio) in Czechia
Mama Yvette's New Orleans, LA in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Poobutt Studio
Poopbutt Studios, Worms, CA in California, Kentucky, United States
Samurai Sound in Davis, California, United States
glass mastered at:Omni USA (Omni USA Distribution, Houston, Texas) in Houston, Texas, United States
Discogs:https://www.discogs.com/release/10602603 [info]