16 Bars (Original Sondtrack)

Vinyl LP pressing. 16 Bars offers a rare glimpse at the human stories and songs locked away in our nation's jails and prisons. The documentary follows a unique rehabilitation effort in a Virginia jail that encourages inmates to write and record original music. In the jail's makeshift recording studio, four men collaborate to produce an album with Grammy-winner Todd 'Speech' Thomas of Arrested Development. His goal was to shed light on the complex issues in our criminal justice system by bringing the voices and stories of incarcerated people to a larger audience. Music magic happened in that jail, and this is that album. The four featured artists are: Teddy Kane, Garland Carr, Anthony Johnston, and Devonte James. All the basic tracks, rapping and singing were recorded in the Richmond City Jail. The album is somewhat eclectic. There is music here that will appeal to hip hop, blues, outlaw country, gospel, and Americana.