Ukerewe is the largest inland island in Africa and can only be reached by an overpacked four-hour ferry ride. It is a place so remote that historically people often traveled there to abandon their albino children. Eighteen members of the Standing Voice community volunteered for our songwriting workshop, ranging in age from 24 to 57. But even among the willing, singing-out proved hard amongst a group that routinely avoided eye contact, rarely spoke above a whisper, and were unaccustomed to dancing. Produced by Grammy-winner Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Zomba Prison Project, Ramblin' Jack Elliott), the Tanzania Albinism Collective actively pushes the boundaries of what is considered African and 'world music,' while continuing to confront the dangers that the collective face daily due to prejudice and persecution at home.
