Jah Nuh Mek No Junk

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project – and is a recording of Age Concern participants singing the war-time song ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Lenny, a participant from Age Concern, tells us how he was evacuated to Wales as a child during the war.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. A participant from Age Concern tell us how she was pushed into school-teaching during the war. She describes her experience of the first school she worked at, and interactions with the HM Inspector.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Robert, a detainee at Dover IRC, tells us about a song he and his fellow students at boarding school used to sing as the holidays began.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. A participant from Age Concern tells us about the ‘dunce’s cap’, what you were given if you were naughty at school.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Robert, a detainee, tells us about a form of punishment at his boarding school.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Lenny, a participant from Age Concern, talks about what school was like for him and describes himself as “backwards and highly strung”.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Fiston, a detainee, talks about his unhappy relationship with his dad, and how it affected his self-esteem and self-destructive habits.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. A participant from Age Concern tells us what the phrase “I’ll help you in a minute” means to her.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Lenny, a participant from Age Concern, tells us about his difficulties at home.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Robert, a detainee, talks about the different members of family he has lived with, and in which parts of the world.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. This is Fiston's 'Papa Wemba' song, one he says he sings after smoking weed.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. John, a participant from Age Concern, tells us about a drawing he saw in a museum in America, with the title “I must be someone special ‘cause God don’t make no junk.” This phrase was subsequently translated into different languages and formed the basis for the song ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. An Age Concern participant here talks about his experience serving in the army.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Daniel, a detainee, talks about the horrors he has experienced, from being a child soldier and getting shot to fleeing to Italy and the UK, going to prison and now finding himself in detention for almost two years. 

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. A participant from Age Concern tells us about how, as soldiers, he and his friends got caught in a rainstorm.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. A participant who has been detained for 20 months talks about the uncertainties and stress of detention.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. A participant from Age Concern tells us about a brave old man during the war who dodged a falling bomb.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Lenny, a participant from Age Concern, talks about his experience of doing odd jobs and cleaning at a hotel, and how he was treated in these jobs.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Robert, a detainee, tells us about a friend who had a near miss when travelling, and reflects on this.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. A participant from Dover IRC reflects on life and morals.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Lenny, a participant from Age Concern, talks about his former girlfriend Linda, and how she died.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Participants from the Age Concern group sing the old war-time song ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’, accompanied by guitar and djembe.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. A detainee talks about a fight he and his friend had with a group of soldiers in London. He explains that once you go to prison, you never really stop serving your time; the punishment continues after you get out.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project. Lenny, a participant from Age Concern, talks about the holidays he went on with his former girlfriend, Linda.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they sent each other recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This track comes from a sound collage on the CD – snippets of conversation and song that were shared during the project – Lenny, a participant from Age Concern, goes into song after speaking about his holidays with his former girlfriend, and is joined on guitar by one of the artists.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they heard each other’s recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This is an original song written by detainees at Dover IRC after they were inspired by a story told by John, one of the participants from the Age Concern Riverside centre, about a drawing by a boy he came across in a museum which was entitled “I must be something special, because God don’t make no junk”. This phrase was pertinent because it could apply to everybody involved in the project, and it was subsequently translated into French, Ga and Twi (Ghanaian dialects), Lingala and Arabic.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they heard each other’s recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. This song was recorded by detainees at Dover IRC. Its meaning is explained at the end of the track: kelewele is seasoned, fried plantain, a very popular street food in Ghana, and the song is about finding a street vendor selling kelewele, going to get money to buy some, and coming back to find it’s all gone.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they heard each other’s recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. In this one, for example, a detainee speaks about the highly regulated activities of Dover IRC, and some of the elderly people could relate as they also faced similar strict routines in the army, or boarding school.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they heard each other’s recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. In this track Robert tells the story of a very good hunter whose village didn’t like the way he looked. The hunter’s wife wrote a song about him and the other people began to warm to him, because they appreciated his hunting and his food.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they heard each other’s recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. In this track a participant from Age Concern describes her ancestral link to the early 16th-century Princess Pocahontas through stories told to her by her mother and grandparents.

CD: ‘Jah Nuh Mek No Junk’; Music provider: Music for Change.

A project with detainees at Dover IRC and elderly people at Age Concern Riverside centre.

Although the two groups involved in this project did not meet physically, they heard each other’s recordings of stories and songs and were able to compare some of their experiences. They found a shared interest in reminiscence, in subject matters such as times of war, cultural sayings and proverbs, memories of childhood, and reflection upon present situations. In this track Robert talks about a scary group of ‘zombies’ – people who would scare young children into behaving well! He describes a time they visited him after he didn’t do an assignment for school.