Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Redemption Songs

All things considered, the challenges most bands face are relatively insignificant: finding gigs, putting gas in the van, etc. Such trivialities pale in comparison to the horrors Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have witnessed, endured and ultimately, overcome. Born in a West African labor camp while their homeland was ravaged by war, the band has since become a beacon for hope throughout the world. Their latest album, Rise & Shine, dedicated to and partially recorded in New Orleans, and released on Charlotte-based label Cumbancha, serves as a potent reminder of the redeeming power of music, love and the human spirit. Wednesday, April 7 they begin a two-month US tour with a show at the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge.