Build An Ark

Build An Ark is a Los Angeles based creative soul-jazz ensemble that was formed by producer Carlos Niño (Ammoncontact, Hu Vibrational,Temple Bar Records) and singer Dwight Trible(of the Pharoah Sanders Quintet) during the hysteria that came post 9-11 in an effort to encourage peace and love in the world.
Build An Ark has made a very complete and flowing recording, performing original compositions by members of the collective such as Phil Ranelin’s “Vibes From The Tribe”, Adam Rudolph’s “Conversations” and Derf Reklaw’s “Nu Baya Roots”. Also Improvisational pieces with themes of peace and love and interpretations of tunes that Niño considers “timeless classics” such as Pharoah Sander’s “You’ve Gotta Have Freedom” and
Stanley Cowell’s “Equipoise” were recorded. Mixed like a radio show, PEACE WITH EVERYSTEP is a concept album that is clear in the title and in the message.
With Trible as lead vocalist, Niño recruited celebrated pianist/composer Nate Morgan (long timemember of Horace Tapscot’s Pan Afrikan People’s Arkestra,) trombonist/composer Phil Ranelin (co-founder of the legendary Detroit based Tribe Records,) hand drummer/percussionist/composer Derf Reklaw (original member of the Chicago based ensemble The Pharoahs,) hand drummer/percussionist/composer Adam Rudolph (who works extensively with Yusef Lateef,) and a cast of other greats including violinist/composer Lesa Terry, poet Peter Harris, bassist/guitarist/composer Baba Alade, bassist Trevor Ware, percussionist Andres Renteria, and Joshua Spiegelman on flute and saxophone.Along with this group are the Build An Ark singers who also hand clap and play percussion.
PEACE WITH EVERY STEP was originally released in Los Angeles in October 2003 on Nino’s Todosonidos Presenta label. The CD began to get immediate attention from radio all over the
world. Though never serviced to anyone, the music made it’s way hand to hand to DJs like Gilles Peterson who then licensed a version of “The Blessing Song” for his most recent compilation GILLES PETERSON’S WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVES on Talkin’ Loud/Mercury. It was also a favorite of Los Angeles based radio DJ Garth Trinidad and is played frequently on his show Chocolate City on KCRW 89.9FM.
Two slightly different versions of the track “The Stars Are Singing Too/Door Of The Cosmos” were released as well. First by London based Soul Jazz Records as a bonus track on an E.P. by Niño’s instrumental hip-hop group Ammoncontact and second as part of the Sun Ra tribute compilation THE MYTH LIVES ON on Amsterdam based Kindred Spirits. Kindred Spirits went on to release PEACE WITH EVERY STEP throughout Europe in June 2004 and the CD was also licensed to P-Vine in Japan and released there in May 2004.