Prisoners release album of their own music

Moving Arts Collective working with Finding Rhythms

A different kind of prison record is out. H.M.P - His Music Productions - is a 13 track album produced by ten inmates at La Moye.

The prisoners have collaborated with creative groups Moving Arts Collective and Finding Rhythms to produce a multi-genre album.

The album, H.M.P His Music Productions, features original music written and recorded by the prisoners during a six-day workshop. The 13 tracks span genres such as drill, rap, drum and bass, disco, rock and acoustic.

HMP His Music Productions Album

The sessions were led by musicians Thabo Mkwananzi and Fred Harper from Finding Rhythms, supported by Esther Rose Parkes from The Moving Arts Collective. 

They told us the album serves as a lasting legacy of the transformative experience of music.

Prisoners reflected on the experience, with one saying: "This project left us more confident in our values and skills. We learned that new skills are not painful to acquire if you invest time and effort.

"Cooperation among us was incredible and the bond we formed was strong."

Read: Prisoners at HMP La Moye record album

In May, the prison hosted a listening party attended by prisoners' families and friends, the Education Minister, community partners and charities who were moved by the powerful messages of the music and the prisoners' emotional expressions. 

The Moving Arts Collective's Anas Amiri told us how the idea of the project grew:

"Last year for the first time they had live music performed at the prison. 

"The response from the prisoners was so strong that we realised there is certainly an understanding and an appetite for music.

"We thought, what can we do more? They can make the music, they can have the agency to talk about their own feelings and experiences. One of the main outcomes was it changed their sense of self.

"They could understand themselves not only as people that have made mistakes, big or small, but also as someone who is creative and can make something powerful."

A public listening party will be held at ArtHouse Jersey on Thursday 22 August from 6:00 - 7.00 pm. 

The celebratory event is part of the 'Inside Out' exhibition, running from 15-25 August, that showcases a diverse collection of art created by prisoners. 

The album is available online here: 

 

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