Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

"In 1978, Nova performed for Obama. Well, kind of: Nova was the band for the Punahou School prom in Honolulu, Hawaii, and a young student named Barack (known then as 'Barry') was in attendance.

Backtrack to 1976, and Nova was the opening band for Donald Byrd at the nearby Blaisdell Arena. The day was Sunday, June 27. The following day, Isaac Hayes would perform on island for the admission price of $1.

Nova, led by singer Checo Tohomaso, was one of several go-to party bands during the golden era of Hawaii funk and soul music in the mid-1970s through early 1980s.

The band's infectious gospel-funk-disco can be heard on their sole release, a self-titled 1980 LP that feels like one big party recorded live in the studio. (Check out the Marvin Gaye-inspired 'I Feel Like Getting Down' on the 2016 'Aloha Got Soul' compilation on Strut Records).

The story is all too familiar, however: funk band releases LP, the music goes dormant in years to follow, and today original copies sell for hundreds online.

Not long after the album's 1980 release, Checo met Marvin Gaye, who was living on Maui (where George Benson also resided). Shortly after, Marvin invited Checo and his counterparts to join his multi-city tour across Europe. Videos of Checo rocking keyboards, percussion and singing background vocals for Marvin Gaye's last European tour can be found online.

Checo, born in Florida yet raised in lush Manoa Valley as well as Okinawa, Japan, now resides in Vancouver, Canada, where he leads the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir and continues to deliver his signature sound: high energy, positive, 'sweet soul' music.

AGS-7010 features two non-stop groovers with a 7' edit by Roger Bong on the A-side. LP reissue in the works!"

Best known for his work with CL Smooth, and his remixes for Public Enemy, House of Pain, Mary J Blige and Mick Jagger to mention a few. Hailing from the little town of Mt. Vernon, NY, right next to the Bronx, Pete Rock & CL Smooth pretty much got together in their local high school when Pete noticed CLs dope and unique voice. After high school, Pete hooked up a weekend hip-hop show on WBLS-FM and was considered one of NYs premier DJs during his four year stint on the show. All Souled Out was Pete & CLs debut EP, it was the phenomenal production by Pete Rock which really drew people to this EP. If the legendary DJ Mark The 45 King was the first producer to incorporate horns, Pete Rock was the first to really perfect this new style of production with his trademark echoing horns laced throughout his music. This was done very nicely on two of the cuts off the EP, Creator and Mecca & The Soul Brother, and people were taking notice in a big way.
After the solid Mecca/Creator 12 inch, the duo unleashed one of those all-time classic LPs every MC dreams of having, Mecca & The Soul Brother featuring the monumental: They Reminisce Over You, Straighten It Out, Ghettos Of The Mind, and Lots Of Lovin. Songs to make you cry - damn, they were playing TROY at funerals everywhere. One of the greatest hip hop records ever made ...it never leads my box man...- (Tim Westwood)

Pete Rock on hip hop: Hip hop to me today is still important but we are going through a phase right now. Hip Hop as been injected by a virus, and right now weve got to find a cure to this. Which brings along myself. (Frank 151)

The Press ...from downtempo, funkdified sounds to hypnotic hip-hop beats, this is a wonderfully crafted album - (BPM July 2001)
This hypnotic ... album represents hip hops incredible ability to morph and manipulate a hodgepodge of sounds to create something unique...although the sound is now industrial, electronic and everything but natural Pete's version of hip hop will remain a classy affair that merges the elements of an orchestra, the roots of black music and the cacophony of the streets. - (Mass Appeal July 2001)

Er ist einer der großen Funk Spezialisten auf seiner Hammond B3: Ricky Peterson. Spätestens seit seiner Zusammenarbeit mit David Sanborn ist Ricky einem großen Publikum bekannt. In den 90er Jahren war der Organist Bestandteil der musikalischen Prince Crew sowohl als Produzent als auch Hammond Spieler. Das vorliegende neue Album "Drop Shot" zeigt Ricky Peterson, der gerade bei FLEETWOOD MAC als neuer Keyboarder eingestiegen ist und die Weltour spielen wird, zusammen mit dem Saxofonisten und Arrangeur Bob Mintzer und der WDR Big Band in blendender Spiellaune. Funky Music at its best!

slowthai's music is unmistakably British, treading a line between grime, rap, dubstep and garage - riding rough-edged beats with an adolescent charisma and confidence that recalls buzzy pirate radio sessions and handicam freestyles. All of this is encapsulated by live shows that are drenched in sweat and spit and booming with the sound of slowthai's hooky flows and street-smart bars being chanted back at him.

He began releasing music over two years ago, while Grime was quickly solidifying its presence in the mindset of the UK's youth without the necessity of US Hiphop co-signs, slowthai's own brand of alternative UK rap was beginning to work it's way into the circles of truly engaged seekers. Fast forward to 2018 and with each single release slowthai has continuity stepped up a gear, proving himself to be an unpredictable force in UK Rap and one responsible for ushering in a new wave of exciting artists moving into 2019. With undeniably memorable live shows that

Ukerewe is the largest inland island in Africa and can only be reached by an overpacked four-hour ferry ride on Lake Victoria. It is a place so remote that historically people often traveled there to abandon their albino children, based on the regional belief that they are in some way 'demonic.'
Eighteen members of the Standing Voice community volunteered for their first ever songwriting workshop, ranging in age from 24 to 57. But even among the willing, singing-out proved difficult, considering the group routinely avoided eye contact, rarely spoke above a whisper, and were unaccustomed to dancing.
Produced by Grammy-winner Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Zomba Prison Project, Ramblin' Jack Elliott), the Tanzania Albinism Collective actively pushes the boundaries of what is considered Eastern African and 'world music,' while continuing to attract greater awareness and confront the dangers that the collective face daily due to prejudice and persecution at home.
For fans of: Francis Bebey, Uyghur Folk Music

* The 'ISR Rootspective' compilation focuses mainly on earlier Iron Sound Records Reggae Roots vinyl releases. The majority of tracks appear on Cassette for the first time and many are still available on 7' and 10' (see ISR website for details). Peter 'Roots' Lewis'- It's A Road Block is due to be released on 7' vinyl (IRON 10-07).

Featured throughout the album we have contributions from a variety of artists including: Monkey Jhayam (Brasil) (Vocal) Asha B (percussion & vocal work), Alvin Davis (sax & flute), Kendrick Andy (vocals), Stephen 'Marley' Wright (guitar) and Peter 'Roots' Lewis (vocal).




















1. Monkey Jhayam * Alvin Davis, Asha B, Alien Dread. **Alien Dread. ***Kendrick Andy. + Peter 'Roots' Lewis.

Compiled By Dj, Record Collector And Label Boss Gilles Peterson, The Tastemaking Brownswood Bubblers Series Returns.

The Latest Outing For Brownswood Bubblers Follows In Typically Eclectic Fashion, Showcasing A Treasure Trove Of Fresh Talent Whose Music Spans Boogie-dripped Soul, Uk Hip-hop And Afrobeat. As Ever, It's Artists Who oat In The Orbit Of Peterson And His Brownswood Label, Featuring The Likes Of Emma-jean Thackray, Sonnymoon And Oscar #worldpeace. A Must-buy For Anyone In Search Of An Easy Primer On Some Of The Most Exciting New Names To Emerge In The Last Year.

Debuting In 2006, Along With The Founding Of The Brownswood Label Itself, The Roll-call Of Artists Who've Appeared On Brownswood Bubblers Speaks For Itself. It Boasts Alumni Like Flying Lotus, The Invisible, Hiatus Kaiyote, Dam-funk And Floating Points. A Platform For Underground Music's Rising Stars, Each Edition Is A Time Capsule Of That Year's Most Exciting Musical Discoveries.

Brownswood Recordings Is The Independent Record Label Founded By Dj, Record Collector And Broadcaster Gilles Peterson. Started In 2006, It's A Platform For New Artists And Music Creatives, As Well As An Outlet For Established Acts To Do Something Different. Restless And Open-minded, The Label Has Championed Independent, Eclectic Music From The Uk And Beyond.

A: OMG did you see her latest Story!
B: Which one
A: The one she just uploaded. You gotta check it out!!!
V: You mean the one where she hangs out with Snoop Dogg and Eminem and this guy Wolfram is djing. I just saw that, too.
A: Yeah totally, the party looks crazy. I love Wolfram, he's sooo cute =)
(B lit`lol's)
B: She just uploaded another one where Gerd Janson joins the decks. Why am I not there!
:( FML

8th release is by Don Patron!
Intends to carry you on his back through a large spectrum of beats.
A sort of tribute to samplers and beat tapes.

You can name the tracks by yourself by using a pen.

Two new downtempo balearic remixes of tracks off Dru Barnes ambient hip hop debut Silent Light. Whatever/Whatever (NYC legend Justin Strauss & Producer Bryan Mette) turn DAWN into a 96 bpm funky chug anthem. An Instant Slow Balearic House Classic. SIREN (Dennis Kane & Metro Area's Darshan Jesrani) take the ballad MAYBE WE'RE LOVE on an epic cinematic journey.

22a presents a collaborative project with the Polish jazz septet EABS and featuring Tenderlonious on flute and soprano saxophone. Strictly limited to 1000 copies worldwide, this 12' of deep jazz is housed in colour sleeve and

includes an insert containing sleeve notes and photos. The Electro Acoustic Beat Sessions collective (EABS) are without doubt the most accomplished jazz group in the world right now. They have a unique and

innovative approach to music, fusing elements of Polish and classic jazz with hip hop, funk and folk. Their debut album 'Repetitions (Letters to Krzysztof Komeda)' is a dedication to Polish Jazz legend Krzysztof Komeda that focusses

on compositions by Komeda between 1962 and 1967. The album explores Komeda's lesser-known compositions featured in ballet etudes, movies, short films, documentaries and animations.

'Kraksa/Svantetic' is the final part of a dedication to Krzysztof Komeda, recorded straight to tape at Radio Opole in Poland. Polish jazz has had a big influence on 22a and Tenderlonious and working with

EABS became a priority after hearing their album. Tenderlonious was therefore delighted to accept their invitation to go out to Poland to perform with them.

In the heyday of low-budget television and scrappy genre filmmaking, producers who needed a soundtrack for their commercial entertainments could reach for a selection of library music: LPs of stock recordings whose contents fit any mood required. Though at the time, the use of such records was mostly a cost-cutting manoeuvre for productions that couldn't afford to hire their own composer, the industry soon took on its own life: library publishers became major financial successes, and much of the work they released was truly extraordinary. In fact, many of these anonymous or pseudonymous scores-on-demand were crafted by the some of the greatest musical minds of the late 20th century—expert musicians and innovative composers who revelled in the freedoms offered, paradoxically, by this most corporate of fields. Unusual Sounds is a deep dive into a musical universe that has, until now, been accessible only to producers and record collectors; a celebration of this strange industry and an examination of its unique place at the nexus of art and commerce. The perfect companion to the David Hollander curated book Unusual Sounds: The Hidden History of Library Music (out now on Anthology Editions), these 20 tracks, encapsulate the niche and fascinating subculture of library music. Genres were spliced, conventions dispensed with, and oftentimes hybrid music of astonishing complexity was produced. Elements of rock, jazz, soul, even twentieth-century avant-garde composition were all utilized, and no stone was left unturned. As a result, some of the best library music defies all categorization, reflecting the individualistic quirks and artistry of the various musicians who made it. This compilation includes compositions by Brainticket founder Joel Vandroogenbroeck, KPM Allstars John Cameron and Keith Mansfield, Montenegrin-born composer Janko Nilovic, and the Italian film composer Stefano Torossi amongst others. David Hollander is a producer, music supervisor, writer and collector living in Texas. A lifelong record collector, his library music collection is considered by many to be one of the finest of its kind in the world.

Landing on Alchemy Dubs is our seventh release on 7' format, a special collaboration between Ojah and Nikolaj Torp Larsen 'Nik Torp', keyboard player from The Specials.

The A side contains the track 'Mindset', a Hammond and melodica version of Ojah's 'Mind' riddim, both played by Nik Torp and masterfully recorded through an MCI desk that used to belong to Island Records (hundreds of seminal records where recorded through it, including for example Bob Marley's Exodus). Next up on the label will be a 12' featuring versions of this riddim with vocals by Fikir Amlak ('On my mind') and flute by Don Fe ('Remind').
On the B side we find a dub version as usual, mixed in analog live by Ojah in classic style & fashion.

Limited edition of 500 copies, hand-stamped and hand-numbered, served in a thick custom reversed kraftliner sleeve.
Produced by Ojah, recorded at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London
Hammond & melodica by Nikolaj Torp Larsen 'Nik Torp', recorded by George Murphy at Eastcote Studio 1, London
Mixed & mastered by Oscar Pablos 'Ojah" at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London
Graphic design by Victor Castro

Cornhusker unearths four obscure DJ-only specials. 'Easily' reveals the carnivalesque groove of a less well-known jazz-funk track. 'Mizells' weaves together all of the highlights of a mid-70s classic.

'Launchpad' is storming Hammond-led dance floor fire and 'Bring It' links a classic Rza loop to it's original source.

Originally released in 1980

The London based afro-dub ensemble Fofoulah, have followed-up their trailblazing debut album ('Fofoulah'/Glitterbeat 2014) with an even more shapeshifting and adventurous recording: Daega Rek (The Truth).

Slippery sabar beats, dystopian electronics and echoing, shamanic chants ratchet up both the dub quotient and the dramatic tension. A soundworld that is both earthy and urban, futurist and rooted.

Heard in his DJ sets, his NTS radio show, and in the hands of tastemaker DJs from Bogota to Birmingham, now four of Florentino's most sought after club bootlegs are finally available to the world, on a limited edition vinyl. Inspired by grime's white label culture, where top DJs competed to acquire the freshest exclusives, Contrabando takes a series of modern dancefloor classics and blends them with Florentino's signature mutant reggaeton. Iconic samples collide with double-time dembows, twisted vocal samples, fluttering synths, and heavyweight sub bass. A treatise on the recent history of global pop music that sounds best played loud in a dark club, Contrabando is true soundsystem music for the 23rd century.

The first release of the long anticipated Riddim Series coming out on ARIWA. An ideal reference for soundtrack and background music. The Riddims are the raw rhythm tracks before final overdubs, backing vocals

and melodies have been added to finish off a recording. Technical information has been included to satisfy the curious minded geeks and trainspotters. The first batch of recordings feature Horseman on Drums,

Black Steel on guitars and Lloyd Parks on bass guitar.

Teecain (aka MC Teekanne), bavarian rap legend and co-founder of Munich's rap group Echorausch delivers two fresh new tracks. Rentners Rap with its superfunky backing is a sure shot for any funk / Hip Hop DJs. On the b-side titled Brudermuehl No.1 Teecain delivers fresh ryhmes over a much more mellow backing. For sure a dope 2-sider you won't miss!

SOUL/DISCO/FUNK SINGLE HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, ON ANY FORMAT.
FROM THE INDEPENDENT UK LABEL SIX NINE RECORDS Ltd, BASED IN NEWCASTLE
UPON TYNE. TIM TUCKER IS HERE WITH TWO BRILLIANT NEW SONGS, WRITTEN AND
PRODUCED BY THE MAN HIMSELF. WITH HISTORY BEING PART OF GROUPS LIKE
DAVINITY, BIRDBONE UNLIMITED AND LOVE CRYME, MR TUCKER HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE
SONG WRITER, MUSICIAN AND ARTIST FOR A LONG TIME. TRULY NOT TO BE MISSED
AS IT IS A LIMITED UK PRESS WITH SMALL HOLE AND FULL COLOUR PRINTED
PICTURE COVER! THIS IS THE SECOND OF MANY PLANNED RELEASES FOR TIM TUCKER
ON SIX NINE RECORDS.

In celebration of Aretha Franklin's Iconic legacy, her first Christmas album and 36th studio album will be re-released in November for the first time ever on vinyl. The acclaimed artist puts her timeless stamp on a mix of 11 traditional and contemporary classics associated with the Christmas season. Aretha Franklin herself produced three tracks and arranged and added her inimitable touch as a pianist to two tracks ("Silent Night" and "14 Angels"). 

Basement Freaks serves up a classic funk instrumentation version of his own jam 'White Hot' which features the sizzling vocals of Ms. Kylie Auldist (The Bamboos, Cookin' On 3 Burners) over a jumping groove. He's taken it back to the old school and managed to achieve the seemingly impossible of improving on his already impeccable music.

Over on the flip he's taken the Smoove & Turrell frontman's sweet and soulful vocals of the track 'Won't Get Fooled Again' and revised it into a barnstorming electro funk joint. It's not the first time these two have come together musically and whenever they do its always-on-point.

New CRK on La Chinerie's COMICSANS Imprint !! more Breakbeat & Jungle from those two Lyon's babies. We also step into a more serious design thanks to our girl cm-dp, she's the best. Anyway, enough words, let the music and the awesome cover speak for themselves, and follow Comic Sans Records, 'cause we are just getting started !! zahef 69 la trik !

Arnold Glenn Dailey arrived in Washington, DC by way of Norfolk, VA, founding his first vocal group when he was 19. From there, he learned how to play the guitar, and when 1980s DC struggled with a boom in the illegal drug trade, Dailey turned to his music as therapy -- teaching himself how to play nearly every other type of instrument. When it came time to develop his own album, 'Is This Love', he pulled from his multi-instrumentalist background and built most of the tracks by simply overdubbing himself. It's an engrossing synth-filled journey into the soul of the man who meticulously designed a foundation of love and inspiration to drown out the problems surrounding him. Anyone with an appreciation for positive energy, uplifting modern soul, or love vibes, will more than likely discover that this LP fills a hole in their heart they didn't even know was there. The title track will certainly satisfy any daytime DJ need, and 'Keep The Faith' is ready-made for late night playlists.

New Damily album, tsapiky from Madgascar

Filled with songs from Madagascar in the electric guitar-driven boogie music known as ''Tsapiky''. First created in the late 1970s, tsapiky has become the required music at large family ceremonies (circumcisions, weddings, and especially, funerals),

Deep Nigerian ''Igbo highlife'', here combining Highlife with the more traditional Igbo music - guitar-based music, with rare characteristic blend of horns and vocal rhythms..
.
The 1970s and 80s saw the rise of the Ukwuani style in Nigerian highlife. A funky fusion of the laidback, mellifluous guitar lines characteristic of Igbo highlife with the rugged, animated rhythm section of Edo dance music, the sound was a sensation that made stars of musicians like Rogana Ottah, Steady Arobby, King Love A.U., Bob Fred and Chief John Okpor. One of the most consistent players in this field, though, was General Franco Lee Ezute, leader of the Harmony Kings International Band.

Bongo Joe presents this deluxe reissue of Onye Kata Obia, one of the Harmony Kings' most underrated albums. Full of electrifying guitar work and intoxicating rhythms, it is sure to keep the crowd dancing!

100% Columbian was released in 1998 The album features their single tracks and live favourites Korean Bodega, Love Unlimited and Big Night Out.

Killer deepfunk out of Philly. Taken from the forthcoming album "Gut Funky - The Best of C.R.S. Records".

Joseph Washington Jr.'s 1983 holiday LP puts a soulful, funky, suave ribbon on nine frosty Christmas cuts. In that season of music's traditional descent into threadbare schmaltz, Merry Christmas to You restores joy and wonder to a blizzard of bland. Under this tree, find undiscovered classics for our cynical age: the buoyant 'Jesus' Birthday,' the hot and bothered soul of 'Merry Christmas,' the ridiculously catchy wallet-opener 'Shopping.' The world of records produces just a precious few yuletide keepers: Spector's A Christmas Gift for You; Fahey's The New Possibility; Guaraldi's indelible Charlie Brown Christmas. Down another nog and file Joseph Washington Jr. comfortably next to those.

Nice timeless track somewhere between lovers rock, brit funk and soul.
Originally released in 1982 on Sanity Records.
Here comes official reissue on Pépite

[A] a1 | What More Can I Say (Dance Mix ´83)

Fresh from '78: Brazilian funk lothario Marcelo's first big single (which was never out on a 45 before)- and a peak track from his debut eponymous album from the same year - gets a timely revisit from the Steven J's reissue/edit imprint Pepite. With its subtle piano striking Q&A, wild bass runs and clam-tight guitar/drum groove, Marcelo calls his way through the jam as if everything is a chorus. With its layered vocals, it's gutsy call to action for any dancefloor. Steven's edit stretches out the instrumental bars and brings out focus on the staccato vocal hook with a rising sense of momentum. Two great sides, one dope 45.

A collabo you couldn't make up. Ice-T & Charlie Funk team up with Hamburg's Mighty Mocambos for a funked up version of their single "Bounce That Ass", blending old school west coast vibes with raw funk recorded live to tape, guaranteed to get every dancefloor busy.

Ice-T & Afrika Islam aka Charlie Funk wrote history together. They made countless platinum LPs, won grammys and oscars and shaped rap music as we know it today with albums like "Rhyme Pays" and "Power". Here they reunite for the fun(k) of it, celebrating the motion of hips like only they could and the Mighty Mocambos once again leave no doubt about their status as absolute funk heavyweights and 45 champions.

Exclusive release on vinyl.

OVERVIEW: Synth chutes, synth ladders, popcorn 808 beats, dirge-y chants and busted sub-woofer hums from inner-galactic soul pioneers Nathaniel Woolridge and Anthony Freeman intertwine to create this hypnotic, mythical 1984 LP from Newark, New Jersey. The most damaged party record ever set to black, or the most partied cry of the heart ever howled into personal space. Probably both.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's Starr was once an enigmatic figure in collector's circles. 'She's So Fine' has racked up over a million plays on YouTube, but copies of the 45 and 12' version almost never surface. The known discography was surprisingly sparse for an entity who delivered such an undeniably killer track. Surely there had to be more. Was Starr a studio concoction: the work of an enterprising producer and some hired help Perhaps Starr was sent from above to bless us earthlings with sublime electro-funk grooves to keep dance floors moving

The truth is, in his own words, that 'anyone can be a Starr!' Starr got his start as a young whiz kid playing in the internationally known Chill Fac-Torr. Despite overseas chart success and a contract with Philly World, the band never made it too far. Infighting and a lack of professional discipline among the band pushed Starr out of the group, and he set out on his own.

With killer musical chops, a great voice and an unmatched creative drive, Starr set out to follow in the footsteps of a fellow musical wunderkind from Minneapolis and create his own musical universe. The problem is, life got in the way. Starr recorded night and day, flexing his writing muscles in a number of different styles, working with other Pennsylvania artists to achieve their visions. He produced some very sparsely distributed cassettes and 45s for his own imprint, but he also had a family and bills to pay. The label took a backseat and his musical career was put on ice, but his desire to create never left him.

We are proud to present the first in our series of Starr releases, the classic 'She's So Fine' 12' mix on a handy 45. Remastered from the original reels, hear it like you've never heard it before. Sure to set the dance floor ablaze.

Starr's known output consists of a single release, the hyper in-demand 'She's So Fine' single, but this is only the first light in a constellation of recordings he made in the 1980s. Being the go-to guy for collaboration in Harrisburg offered him the best local talent. A young and soulful singer, the aptly named Fawn came into Starr's life, laid down a session or two and went back to the real world. Aside from an incredibly rare cassette-only compilation appearance, this is the first time her sweet and sultry voice makes an appearance on the world stage. Backed by Starr's stellar production, these tracks are truly lost gems, ready to shine for the first time on a lovingly remastered 45 straight from the original tapes.

After two visionary LPs for his own tiny Nodlew label, Weldon Irvine signed to RCA for Cosmic Vortex (Justice Divine), exploring the deeply spiritual and political terrain of his previous efforts on the kind of grand musical scale that major-label funding accommodates.

This is a big, bold record by any measure, with a startlingly pronounced focus on lyrics and vocals. At the same time, however, the melodies spread out like tentacles, informed by the improvisational sensibilities of jazz and the deep-groove spirit of funk. Jason Ankeny/AMG

"The Tribe is an extension of the tribes in the villages of Africa, our mother country. In Africa everyone had a talent to display. There were no superstars; just people and collectively all the people of the village played a vital role in shaping that culture. We see all the black communities within this country as villages and the tribes are the people residing within them. The Tribe is composed of creative artists from the Metropolitan Detroit area who have travelled extensively with many well known musicians and have returned with the intention of sharing these experiences with our people in order to broaden the cultural base in this city. They are some of the most original and creative artists in the area. We hope to bring out points, situations, and events that are happening in our communities by way of music, poetry, and dance and rapping to the people. You see pure music must reflect the environment that we live in if it is to be educational and beneficial to our culture. It must portray our way of life. At this point in our history, harmony for the most part, is not reflected in our communities. There's a lot of rebellious tension and discord, even though we have some groovy or harmonious moments along the way. There are many people within this society, black and white, who don't understand what is happening in regards to the direction the black musicians are moving toward. Our music is reflecting more so than ever before the stress, tension, and discord that is taking place within our communities along with the positive and harmonious things happening. This is evident when one listens to the music of composers like the late the late John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, Ornette Coleman, and the late Albert Ayler. These guys understand the relationship between art and culture and they took the total vibrations, positive and negative of the whole culture and served as amplifiers or speaker systems through the arts. You cannot divorce art from its root culture and expect it to be relevant for both the artist and his culture.

The compositions we play are reflective of the music of our times whereby we play Jazz, Rock, and African music with its poly or many rhythms. I wrote all the tunes on this particular L.P. and it is written as a suite in 5 movements which means that the music can be performed along with poetry and dancers. On our last L.P. called 'Message From The Tribe' we featured the compositions of our very talented composer, arranger, and trombonist Phil Ranelin. On one side he wrote all the compositions and on the flip side I wrote all the tunes. This album was produced by us on the Tribe record label. As far as the music on 'Evening With The Devil' is concerned it really speaks for itself. In addition to the music it features some relevant poetry by two very talented young poets named Oba and Vajava who are also members of a very excellent theatre group in Detroit called The Black Messengers.'

Extract from the sleeve notes of this album by Wendell Harrison.

Wendell Harrison, Tenor Sax & miscellaneous instruments / Marcus Belgrave,

Flugel Horn & miscellaneous instruments / Charles Moore, Trumpet & miscellaneous instruments / Will Austin, bass / Charles Eubanks, Electric Piano & miscellaneous instruments / Ike Daney, drums & miscellaneous instruments /

Phil Ranelin, trombone & miscellaneous instruments / Poetry by the Black Messengers, Oba and Vajava