I bought this cd a couple of months ago. Yesterday I saw it featured
in the last issue of Staight No Chaser and this reminded me I wanted
to post a short commentary on it several weeks ago.
I first came in contact with Philip Cohran via a track of his Artistic
Heritage Ensemble on a Comet compilation of afro tunes (Ouelele).
'Unity' is an obscure, vibrant, spiritual afrojazz number with Cohran
on violin uke, accompanied by a tight battery and a brass section
which includes tenor, alto & baritone sax and trombone. 'Unity' is
present on the reissue cd, along with a live version of it, in which
the Ensemble uses more strings, and takes a more adventurous
improvisation.
The reissue cd contains 4 more tracks, all originally recorded in 1967
and 1968. 'The Ministrel' is another restless afro gem, with Cohran on
'frankiphone', an amplified version of an african thumb piano
instrument himself made. The already rich in soulfullness sound is
taken to highest levels of spirituality with another two slower tunes:
'On the Beach' is a 17-min free-jazz tale, with alternating
frankiphone, chinese musette, oboe and various other brass instruments
solos; 'Motherhood' is a spiritual dixieland jazz number with Patricia
Ann Smith giving an unforgetable vocal performance; interestingly,
this tune has a very clear political message against the 'pill'
campaign pressure exercised on black females at the time. This most
interesting set completes with 'New Frankiphone Blues', which
according to the liner notes, is the first (ever?) 16-bar modal
afro-blues; Cohran is again on frankiphone and gives quite a
performance. While highly complex in structure, even this
sophisticated piece of jazz never loses sight of the groove, and is
danceable from start to end.
Even if you don't usually go for 60s/70s reissues, this cd is a
must-buy. It will definitely speak to your heart, with its
unmistakable spirituality, strength and depth. Plus the packaging is
absolutely gorgeous. Visit the label site for more info:
'Around and inside everything in existence is one law. The law is ONE'
steve.
http://listen.to/deephousearchives/
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