HELP YOUR LOVE
A Funk and Soul-Fueled Expression of Love
Just when you thought they couldn't elevate their soul-steeped sound any more, Bay Area-based Acoustic Soul sails to new heights on their stunning 2024 release "Help Your Love." The groove-filled energy of this album celebrates the power of universal love and the joy of a generous spirit.
From the opening chords of the uplifting title track, it's clear this album has tapped into something special . Emil Borgir's soul-baring vocals and poetic lyricism calls for compassion are compelling against the lush, gritty funk backing. Tracks like the toe-tapping "Love Will Find It's Way" and simmering "Who Among Us" encapsulate the album's central message to look past superficial differences and connect through our shared hopes and humanity.
Yet for as focused as the concepts are, Acoustic Soul's musicality remains unbound with an upbeat drive. "Nobody's Pretending to Groove" is a joyful slice of summer funk bliss, while the laid-back "Love Is The Way" showcases their easy grooves and jazzy improvisational flair. Who knew love has grooves you can dance to!
The album seems to have the magical ability to weave inspiring lyrics into memorable beats that will have you hitting replay often. By the time the deeply personal closing track "Love You Della Mae" fades out in a radiant cloud of harmonies, you're left uplifted and inspired to manifest more compassion in your life.
"Help Your Love" is an astonishing creative statement - an album leveraging funk's unifying power to gently dismantle prejudices and remind us of our shared humanity. Let these soul-revivifying sounds be your latest deliverance into a more just and loving existence.
℗ © 2024 Acoustic Soul, Emil Borgir. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. Written, manufactured and distributed by Acoustic Soul, Emil Borgir. All songs © 2024 Borgir Music (BMI)
The primary intention in all the music that I have/will ever published is to contribute something of value to family of beings with whom I share this world. There are a lot ways that support can be afforded, it is beyond my understanding how such things work.
I also know that there are dark places in this world, and when something that is expressed with the intention to bring love, to remind us of our validity, connection and power, it can really matter. Because there are many rooms, spaces and places, where such things are as far away as the sun, and the warmth and sound of tenderness is not to be felt or heard. It is such places that I think of when I write these lyrics.
So, if this music is helpful to anyone, for any reason, then it has met its intended destination. If there is any inspiration or confidence that is born of those moments, then I am overjoyed for having made the effort to place this music into our world. I sit here now, writing, but I know that time will pass, and these words will mean something else as that happens, partly because the world will be different tomorrow, and partly because meanings change on the basis of context. For example, there are no bombs falling here today, I don’t hear the cry of women being harmed, or children starving, but I know that all these things are the happening in other places, and could soon be happening where I live. Peace is a great fortune and not something I take for granted. Therefore I choose to put these sounds and words together and send them out, hoping that they are a comfort somewhere, somehow, to anyone who would wish to take them to heart.
I dedicate this music to all those whom I love, to my teachers and all those whom I have vowed to benefit beyond measure. To my beloved family, and my Della Mae, who is not here in body, but her spirit is always with me.
Credits
Acknowledgements
-
Who Among Us | John Gronberg, trumpet; Raffi Garabedian, tenor sax; John Gronberg and Emil Borgir, horn arrangement
-
Love Is The Key | Tom McClure, Fender Rhodes
-
Luxury Is Ruthless | Ross Eustis and Mike Wayne Gray, trumpets; Raffi Garabedian, tenor sax; Brendan Kersey-Wilson, Fender Rhodes and Nord B3
-
Even Though | Tom McClure, Fender Rhodes; Alaya Borgir, added background vocals
-
Gonna Make You Sing | Trumpet Mike Wayne Gray, trumpet; Raffi Garabedian, tenor sax; Carl Wheeler, Hammond B3; Emil Borgir and Mike Wayne Gray, horn arrangement
-
No More Sorrow | John Gronberg, trumpet; Raffi Garabedian, tenor sax; Alaya Borgir, added background vocals; John Gronberg and Emil Borgir, horn arrangement
-
Help Your Love | Mike Wayne Gray, trumpet; Raffi Garabedian, tenor sax; Brendan Kersey-Wilson, Fender Rhodes and Nord B3; Emil Borgir and Michael Gray, horn arrangement
-
Love Will Find Its Way | Brian Reinholdt, Fender Rhodes; Raffi Garabedian, tenor sax
-
In The Morning | Tom McClure, Fender Rhodes; Raffi Garabedian, tenor sax
-
I’ve Got A Doctor | Cole Kahn, tenor sax; Elan Kass, alto sax; Mike Wayne Gray, trumpet; Tom McClure, Fender Rhodes; Emil Borgir, horn arrangement
-
I Love My Baby | Hammond B3 Carl Wheeler, Live Drums Neil Symonette
-
Nobody’s Pretending To Groove | John Gronberg, trumpet; Nathan Kersey-Wilson, alto and tenor sax; Brendan Kersey-Wilson, Fender Rhodes and Nord B3; Emil Borgir, horn arrangement
-
Love You Della Mae
Written, arranged, mixed and produced by Emil Borgir | Mastering by Phil Hawkins at P. Note Music | Rob Holland provided assistance as a mixing consultant, as well as being available for a lot of support in the final hours, as has been the case in the production of the last three albums. | Instruments played and sequenced by Emil Borgir, except where otherwise noted.
John Gronberg, my dearest friend of many years, comes to my city, gets a room and works with me for as long as it takes. He has done this on all my albums, he won’t accept any payment, and he gives me everything he has, which, if you have listened, is a great deal, and then leaves with a big smile on his face. John, is as good a friend as I have ever known.
Rob Holland and I have been close since 1978. During the remix he made me his priority, I really did need help. He was gracious, precise, and so insightful in all the ways that I needed him to be in order to make this album happen in the way it did. He also would not accept any payment for his time and expertise. I am deeply grateful to have had Rob’s love and generosity since we met so long ago.
Tom McClure literally laughed when I said I wanted to pay him. I met Tom at a function for our children. He didn’t know me but agreed to come and help out, starting with the last album. He’s been showing up ever since, helping, giving and increasing the value of these tracks, without any expectation of exchange, true generosity. Tom’s musicianship is punctuated with a deep love of music, which just means so much to me.
I met Mike Wayne Gray in the pouring rain, we were waiting to see the children perform at a jazz concert. He was getting wet and we had a big umbrella. So we all cozy’d up and got to talking about music. Michael has become a friend, and continues to come and contribute to the funk and soul that we’re trying to create over here. He is also a father and grandfather of black children who were born gifted and motivated to grow, a beautiful wealth that is at the center of Michael’s heart. Michael’s wife, who’s a great singer, was born as an American share cropper, as was my beloved Della Mae. Della’s life is tattooed on my soul. May the powers that be protect anyone who knows that life, or anything related.
To have Carl Wheeler appear on this album has been very important to me, Carl is a national treasure, an American story that touches into the heart of what matters to me about making music with my brothers and sisters who love music and have taken it all the way into their hearts.
Neil Symonette, a native Bahamian, is a person who always cared. We went to music school in Hollywood back in the early 80’s. He’s one of the people who musically shaped me, took me into his heart, without making any kind of thing about it. We just played together all the time, it was always joy and a great learning experience. We played some scorching funk, fusion and soul music together, I’ll never forget it.
I just met Phil Hawkins, and found his participation in the mastering process to be insightful, helpful and in so being, he helped me get to the final product, which would not have been as “finished” were it not for his generosity and intelligence.
Holly Larsen, a great musician herself, has been doing the art and website, the business and all the details of getting this music out to the public. Most of the time she’s giving many hours that she will not admit to, thinking outside the box, being confident and supportive, even giving musical insights. Without Holly’s kindness and support no one beyond friends and family would have ever heard a note of this music. Holly is my sister on this path, I’d be lost without her.
One of the reasons that I have been able to continue to publish music is because of Asha’s (my wife) unilateral support for all that I do. She has been patient, generous and kind, always a good word, always a good thought, and never a whisper of negativity where all this is concerned. I owe her a great debt.
Lyrics
Who Among Us
Well, ooh ooh ooh
Rise up, in the morning
Rise up, in the evening
You know what he said
Give a little more
Get a little more
To your sisters and brothers
Who among us, is ever satisfied
Who among us, never closed their eyes
(got to give a little sometimes)
Who never been unkind
(give a little more, get a little more)
Who, who among us
Never broke a child's heart with the feelings
Of power that they were using to power
Their own feelings of pride
Lord lord lord lord lord lord lord
Found their kingdom inside
Who among, ever seen the light
Who Never, never moralized
Never told a lie
Aint got nothin, aint got nothin to hide
Lord lord lord lord lord lord lord
Found their kingdom inside
(found their kingdom,
No matter what you've done
No matter where you've been
You can still come home again
No matter what your sin
Hallelujah, sinners come home
Take shelter from the storm
(everybody knows, you gotta tell the truth sometimes)
Whosoever has no sin, cast the first stone
(give a little more)
Cast the first one in
(gotta give a little sometimes)
Whosoever has no sin
(who has no sin, cast the first one in, hey)
I wanna know if you understand why you wanna hurt me
Who lives in glass, careful what we throw
Wanting happiness, best let the heart be
Best let the heart be your home
Whosoever found joy in everything they gave
Rise up (gotta give a little sometimes)
Who never taught a child that they should be ashamed
Rise up (give a little more, get a little more)
Who never told folks how they should behave
Rise up
Never, prideful, misusing holy names
Rise up (or step on down
No matter what you've done, not matter where you've been
You can still come again, no matter what you're sin
Hallelujah, sinners, come home
No need to throw stones
(gotta live a little more, gotta give a little more,
gotta give a little sometimes)
No need to be alone
(sometimes, gotta give a little sometimes)
Remember what He said to you, greater things
(gotta live a little more, gotta give a little more
gotta give a little sometimes)
Love Is The Key
Everybody knows love is the reason,
love is the key
Ain’ no mystery, love is the way
That you keep findin your way
Back home to love with me
Every time I look, I know I been there,
know what I’ve seen
Everything that I would need to be
Love will turn me loose
and love will set me free
Love knows what to say
Put your plans away
Let this world be wild, and believe
That love will never ever lead you astray
(love will keep you safe)
Always reaching for the lovely things
Ocean of dreams
Age old mystery, birds need wings
When there ain’t nothing left
Love will still be everything
Love knows what to say
(love will keep you safe)
Put your plans away
Maybe it's hard to believe what I say
But love will never ever lead us astray
Love will let you know what to do
gonna let you, gonna let you know
Love will always be there for
Gonna let you know, gonna let you know
gonna let you feel it
Love knows what, love knows what to do
Gonna let you, gonna let you know
Love will always be there for you
Luxury Is Ruthless
In the beginning, we needed shelter,
we had to fight for food
We loved the raindrops, loved the sunshine,
Loved to feel our bodies move
We needed something, to bring us closer,
and fill our troubled hearts
Slowly found, ingenuity,
possession made us smart
Desire turned to anger, and anger to war,
Fighting made us heartless, and thirsty for more
And now that I’m alone, tell me now
What am I fighting for
Don’t wanna, don't wanna fight no more
We feel the cold, we feel the hunger,
we learn from the pain
We had each other, we slept together,
we crowned desire king (we made desire king)
We make a top, which makes a bottom,
(and hunger was its name)
We found the wealth, we found the power
And luxury showed its face
Luxury is ruthless, it's more ruthless than war
It's much more ruthless than war,
Somebody had to ask, the question is
What am I fighting
Am I fighting for
doan wanna fight no more
Man follows earth, earth follows heaven,
Heaven follows nature and nature
Follows Everything
I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna hurt nobody,
I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna hurt nobody
Don’t want nobody hurting’ me
I’ve got some friends, they got their reasons,
Always trying’ to get more
They’re real good people, they get to dreaming
Bout the things they never had before
And while I look at the pieces,
of broken hearts on the floor
You bet your life I, will remember,
Why my heart is so sore
Luxury is ruthless, its more ruthless than war
Its much more ruthless than war,
Now that I’m alone, the question is, what am I fighting
Am I fighting for, don’t wanna fight no more
The diligent, are not defeated, by wealth
The diligent, are not defeated, by affliction
The diligent, are not defeated, by weariness
The diligent, are not defeated, by attainment
No matter how much they have, they won’t let it go
The wisdom that they love, is all they need to know
Luxury is useless, until you let it go (cessation)
Unless you let it go
They let it go, they let it all go
Cessation, they let it go, its got to go
Cessation
Love Will Find It's Way
Do you know, that everyone is trying
Doin about the best that they can
Strugglin when they don't understand
If you see, the light of somebody alone
Shinin’ up above in the night
Wonderin' if they're happy and bright
They say when happiness is on your mind
Leaves the spirit free to climb
Even though it's hard sometimes
Love will find its way, love will find its way
Do you know, you have been so wonderful
Sharing all the things you believe
Knowing that I might never see
Happiness, lord it seems I look at you
I don't even know where to start
Fillin’ every beat of my heart
They say when happiness is on your mind
Leaves the spirit free to climb
Even though it's hard sometimes
Love will find its way, love will find its way
Morning night and day
Can everybody feel the motion
Cause love is here to stay
Is that alright with you baby
The way you're feelin’ tonight
Is it alright if you feel a little bit
Closer to heaven, alright
Does it make you feel good to know
Love will bring everything
A little bit closer to heaven
Just a little bit higher
Love will bring, everything
A little bit closer to you
Love will find its way
Maybe you and me
Can let our hearts, go free
heyhey
love will bring you
Everything you need
To me yeah
Yay, a little bit closer to heaven
Baby when you talk, when you talk, to me
Yeah, even though, it's hard to see
Um umm humm~
Ooh Ooh Ooh
Love brings you closer
Ooh Ooh Ooh
Love brings you closer
Gonna Make You Sing
I don’t really know how I’m gonna
be able to do it
But I’m gonna have to find a wa-y
to get myself through it
It might have to take a funky
A funky long time
But someday I’m gonna find a way to
make you do it
You won’t have find a way say that you
wanted to love me,
You won’t even have-to-speak my name
I'm not gonna make you act like you never
wanted to need me,
You won’t even have to stop acting insane
One of these days, and it won’t be long
I’m gonna find a way to make you strong
And you’re gonna rise up
with a love, a love for everything
You're gonna find a way to rise up and sing
Sing it with me baby
Sing it out loud
Sing it to me sugar,
Do it till your proud
Do it to me baby
Do it to me now
Show me everything
Show me the power
that makes you proud (out loud)
Well I woke up this morning
and all I could feel was the pain
Realizing that we really never
understood a single thing
And I know you ain’t hanging your head
feeling sorry about us mama,
Cause feelin’ sorry about the truth
always stings
But one of these days and it won't be long
I’m gonna find a way to make you strong
Some of the things that we plan
might have to take longer to swing
And someday I'm gonna find a way
to make you sing
Some things are delicious
that’s what you were to me
I lost my mind, it made me blind,
but now that I can see
I know you ain’t gonna be writing
no heartfelt letters baby
I know you ain’t gonna be tellin’ me
that you changed
I know you ain’t gonna be holdin’ on
to no sweet memories
But hear me baby when I say
One of these days, and it won’t be long
I’m gonna find a way, to make you strong
you gonna rise up
With a voice for everything
You’re gonna find a way to rise and sing, baby
Baby, do you hear me,
Baby, can you feel me
Baby, do hear it loud
Baby, can you feel it
Baby do you know it
Cause now you're gonna
Sing like your proud
I don't wanna think about whether you
wanted to love me
I don't wanna try to be hearing my
telephone ring
Lord knows I'm scared to move or
make a sound
I don’ want to feel all your
wonderful terrible things, baby
I just wanna say to ya baby,
I just wanna tell you one little thing
There’s gonna come a day when you goan sing
I ain’t gonna stop,
and I ain’t gonna go to my knees
I’d rather hear you sing
C'mon,...sweet baby
Can't ya hear me when I call your name
Baby,...I wanna tell you
One more little thing, ooh
I know it was the pain
That was drivin you insane
But we're gonna find a way to sing
Cause eventually the shame
And the silliness and blame
Will fade into our bright blue flame
There will finally come a day
When the love that we have made
Will make us raise our voices up and sing
And we will gather in the blaze
Of the love inside your gaze
And happiness is what we'll bring
And while the world is burning down
With the joy that we have found
We'll be runnin it down into the sea
Cause there ain't nothin we can do
Bout the funkyness and groove
That lives inside of everything
No More Sorrow
How deep is the valley,
where the spirit resides
How much living on the mountain
can we really abide
No more sorrow, no pity,
no pride to glorify (no passion)
No fascination with a power
that has never satisfied
When will we meet our good future,
Is it really alive
how I love those good people
with their minds open wide
No more sorrow, no pity,
no ambition to glorify (no passion to satisfy)
No fascination with a power
that has never satisfied
Can you feel, the light
Inside your mind
Everybody knows
Its time
It's time, to let it shine
For your mother
And your father
Where will you be
When they come for you
There stands the mountain,
above the water wide
And the valley, where the darkness hides
Will the wind blowing, stir the water
Hide reflection, where stillness lies
Long is the Battle, sharp is our weapon
If our own darkness,
will have nowhere to hide (will have nowhere to hide)
Oh believe me when I say
I’ve tried
Standing on the mountain top
Wondering if I’m still alive
Time will pass, time don’t stop
Till we finally find out where we are
Where we’ll be
Home at last, home at last, at last, at last
I have finally found my home, at last
Home at last
I mean I’m home
No more sorrow, long is the battle
There will be laughter, sharp is the weapon
There be raindrops, if our darkness will have
No place to hide
Until the children,
find a way from the valley to the mountain top
Can you feel, the light
Inside your mind
Everybody knows
Its time
Help Your Love
Know your brother, love yourself,
Know your sister, and everyone else
Know those in heaven, those in hell
Know everything and you won’t have to
protect yourself
Help your love, let it shine
Find your reason, find your way
Find your wisdom, let it fill up your day
Find the time, to fold your hands a pray
Find the power that will help you live this way
Help your love, make it bright, let it shine,
in the night,
Up above, like the stars, make it alright,
outta sight
Help your love
Help the lord of paradise, find a way,
Help the love inside your mind, fill your days
Don’t let the love inside your mind, fade away
Let the Mother of everything, fill you days
Help your love with a feelin’
That will help us get together for the feelin that
we know is out-a-sight
Help your love with a feelin’
Just let that feelin that is burnin deep inside you
find a way to keep on burnin to the light
With your brother, and yourself
And your sister, everyone else
Those up in heaven, and those in hell
You’ve got to love everything,
to protect yourself, a-lo, do you know
You’ve got to love everything, to protect yourself
You've got to love everything
so you can love yourself, ow
Make it alright, make it bright, let it shine
Up above, Help your love
You’ve got to love everything
You’ve got to love everything
You’ve got to love everything to protect yourself
Make it bright, let it shine, up above
Every night, Help your love
Oooh's
Even Though
Even though our star has fallen from the sky
Even though I look at you and I still cry
Even though the way you loved me
Changed my life
I found something
That will help me see it right
Even though our future ended in the past
Even though I we knew this love would
Never last
Even though it ended way to fast, baby
I found something
That will help me make it pass
There's a place in my heart
That keeps growing up
There's a love that I've found
That keeps showing up
And I know that its time, ooh
Even though, Even though
Even though, Even though
Even though I was the one
Who went away
Even though I'm still afraid
To say your name
I believe that love will always
Keep its way
That is something that will stay
With me always
There's a place in my heart
That keeps growing up
There's a love that I've found
That keeps showing up
And I know that its time, ooh
Yes it is baby
We weren't foolin anyone
And we had us so much fun
You know we did girl
You were kind and you were beautiful
And you were warm
And you took me somewhere
I have never been before
You took me somewhere
In the darkness you would change
Into something I'd never known before
And you would make
Everything in this world new
You don't know what you have done to me
You have given me something that I now need
And it tears me up to tell you this
But now I have to find a way to leave
When you share your love
With someone else
You are bound to that love forever
Love, is not a, oh no, not a dream
