A&E Network to tell the remarkable, true story of Edge of Daybreak, a 1970’s penitentiary band who defied the odds and recorded a soul album, from their prison’s visiting room in Richmond, Virginia. The compelling documentary “Edge of Daybreak,” from filmmaker Dawn Porter, premiering later this year, along with “Soul Incarcerated,” a limited series podcast launching on February 4 in partnership with iHeartPodcasts, chronicles the band’s journey – revealing how music became their lifeline, a vehicle for self-expression, and ultimately, a powerful form of liberation.
The documentary “Edge of Daybreak,” follows the story of a group of inmates in a maximum-security prison who formed an R&B band called Edge of Daybreak. In a single 5-hour session, they recorded 8 original songs channeling their passions and visions of freedom. But unfortunately, their album languished and was forgotten for nearly four decades. After they were released from prison, their music was later rediscovered and one of their songs made it onto the soundtrack of the Oscar®-winning film “Moonlight.” The documentary, airing later this year on A&E explores the heart of the American justice system, the transformative power of creativity, and the profound impact of second chances.
Launching on Tuesday, February 4, the “Soul Incarcerated” podcast hosted by music journalist Jamie Pietras and co-produced by iHeartPodcasts follows the journey of these young musicians – raised under segregation, convicted for armed robbery, and brought together through a prison music program. Over seven episodes, Pietras provides context to the group’s music and helps the surviving three members navigate their attempt at a comeback more than 40 years later.
With their recent success, the surviving members are reuniting to record another album and revisit the moment when lightning struck. Jamal “Sly” Nubi, Cornelius “Neal” Cade, and Harry “Cupcake” Coleman leave Virginia for the first time to record at the legendary Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, alongside musicians like Ray Parker Jr. Their long-awaited second album, New Horizon was just recently released and is now available on all digital music platforms https://music.apple.com/us/album/new-horizon-ep/1786990181
“Edge of Daybreak” is Directed by Dawn Porter and produced by Dawn Porter and Asako Gladsjo for Trilogy Films for A&E. “Edge of Daybreak” is produced in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment with Chet Fenster and Richard Foster serving as Executive Producers. Jamie Pietras, Dorian Missick, and Warren Ostergard serve as consulting producers. Rob Sharenow, Elaine Frontain Bryan,t and Brad Abramson serve as Executive Producers with Amira Lewally as Supervising Producer for A&E.
“Soul Incarcerated” is executive produced for A&E by Dorian Missick, Jamie Pietras, and Warren Ostergard. Jessie Katz and McCamey Lynn serve as executive producers for A&E. Producers for IHeartPodcasts are Katrina Norvell and Nikki Ettore.
“New Horizon” was recorded at: Sunset Sound Studios, Los Angeles
Produced by Steve Lindsey. Jennifer Insogna, VP and Head of Music Services at A+E Networks serves as Executive Producer.
“Soul Incarcerated” is co-produced and distributed by iHeartPodcasts, and will be available for listeners on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.
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