Axiom Amnesia’s Heit & Cheri Latest Album “Improper Conduct” in the Tradition of Bob Marley, Empowering People to Stand Up (Photo credit: Axiom Amnesia)

Axiom Amnesia is an interesting concept, combining a news and views website about social issues, breaking news and commentary, with a socially conscious and economically uplifting music project. I had the pleasure of recently speaking with Heit & Cheri, who run Axiom Amnesia about their new project — an album entitled “Improper Conduct.” As someone who was born in Jamaica and grew up listening to the socially conscious music of Bob Marley, every song  on their album was in the same tradition of the reggae pioneer. Heit & Cheri’s first music project is a lush collection of thought-provoking songs about social issues and will be appreciated by every listener. Heit said he felt the comparison to Bob Marley, who is someone he respected and grew up with, is profound and heartfelt. He also said true “change comes from changing the way you think. The revolution won’t be televised because the first place it starts is in the mind.”  Cheri said, in terms of the Bob Marley comparison, he was a pioneer in terms of “thinking for yourselves and not just taking cues from the media.” It’s a compliment that found sobering.

Heit and Cheri, like many, want to see a change in the social and political systems of the world. The harshness and divisiveness of the 2012 presidential election is precisely what they want to see changed, but starting on an individual basis. The dynamic duo believes “Improper Conduct” is a vehicle through which significant change can be effected because “being ‘proper’ implies adherence to the status quo, which leaves things unchanged,” their press release said. The album is a stark departure from what we hear on the radio today because it gives listeners a view of the world through their eyes and hearts. Heit & Cheri want to challenge listeners to step outside their comfort zone, away from the “collective thought of the masses and assert themselves as thinking individuals.”

“Get Out and Vote” laments the plight of the middle class and that the economic issues we face can’t be fixed by voting. We can’t simply trust the systems to “make amends” and fix the problems. The uncertainty in the presidential polls show that people aren’t thrilled with neither President Obama nor his Republican rival Mitt Romney. Heit said “we live in a multiple choice nation and are just given President Obama and Mitt Romney, but there are also third party candidates” who we haven’t heard much about. He stated that social movement doesn’t start with just your votes. To that Cheri urges voters to look at the two men and their record to see what they have actually done. She added that the black community talks about the symbolic vote, “since we haven’t always had the right to vote. The message was just get out to vote. No-one should feel obligated to participate in a process they don’t believe in.”

Heit & Cheri sang vocals on all the tracks. The album is an upbeat tribute to self-empowerment and improving our lot. Cheri’s voice rings loud and clear like a bell. Heit’s rapping is strong and crisp. They have essentially put many of the mainstream singers and rappers to shame with a conscious vibe and upbeat rhythm. I was totally mesmerized listening to every track on the album and found myself rocking to the strong and crisp beat of every song.  From “Underground Railroad” to “Screwed” and “World of Music” and the other tracks on the album, I was left with sense that Heit and Cheri are onto something — the start of a social movement for change starting on an individual basis, including bringing us the facts on the murder of Trayvon Martin.  In closing, “Improper Conduct” is a wonderful first album by this team and I am excited at what lies ahead for Heit & Cheri.

Listen to my interview with Heit & Cheri:

Here are links to Heit & Cheri’s work:

Axiom Amnesia: http://axiomamnesia.com

The Axiom Amnesia Theory on Sticher Radio (podcast): http://bit.ly/TGKvqH

Website with Trayvon Martin evidence: http://theyalwaysgetaway.com

Also available on iTunes.