A unique historic first - A band, children's choir, human and great ape vocals come together sharing in a powerful story of who and what I AM, I AM. All original music, a journey of co-existence, love, celebration, fear, slavery, consequences and triumphs.The title track begins this musical journey of great apes living in their own world's and habitats, becoming subjected into man's.

I recommend headphones/ear buds as the vocals and sounds of the great apes will surround you everywhere in the music. All ape vocals; laughing, crying, shouting, singing, including sounds of hand claps, slaps, tambourine and more are all recorded at sanctuaries and habitats around the world by myself and colleagues. All nature sounds are as well. The rhythms of the apes vocals/sounds and nature synchronized naturally. Absolutely no library sounds were used.

I can best describe and share the different vocals the apes make individually for you to listen for in the songs.
Chimpanzee and Bonobos; pant hoot/hoots, singing/humming lyrically, group vocals, sighing, laughter a breathy/giggle, excited/fearful screams and shouts, kisses, breathy grunts.
Gorillas; low sonorous grumble and chest beats. (they too sing up and down scalar notes., unfortunately I wasn't able to obtain any)
Orangutans; ascending quick & long whoops, descending long sighs & ooo's, chirps, long calls-low and sonorous like a Harley motorcycle rumbling - my interpretation of course
Gibbons; higher pitched singing, long and quick lyrical notes
Babies; well... ;-)


The incredible band and vocalists all donated their time and talents in making this album. Their extreme kindness and generosity assisted me in sharing All the Sales, every penny of the album with great ape sanctuaries around the world. My hearts gratitude to you all.

For me, making this album was the most challenging and rewarding recording project. I made a whole lot of new friends. Along with the incredible staff and owners, the apes I met in sanctuary and still know are all incredible. I learned a lot about them, sharing time together, recording and playing guitar for them., that being said is beyond magical! They taught me much about myself that I didn't know.
Writing this original musical journey took me down paths I didn't necessarily anticipate like needing to write songs in keys that the apes vocals harmonically belonged in. Tempos that fit the rhythms of their vocals and sounds. It was finding and creating the right mood, setting and needed attention to them and their surroundings for each song in fitting the story. It took years of researching, contacting, recording, documenting, imagining then creating, years of experiences I'll always treasure and ever reflect on.

Enjoy!

I AM, I AM
Composed and produced by Harry Hmura
www.harryhmuraofficial.com
Initially inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall's words "wouldn't it be lovely if chimpanzee vocals were put to music?"