"...Warriors Of Peace..."
I really love a CD
compilation like this - clever choices by knowledgeable types - discoveries by
still-learning baby-boomers like me.
Using their Beat Goes Public
label - Ace Records of the UK has been down this digital road before. But I
have to say that this is a superb addition even by their lofty standards - a
genuinely thoughtful exploration of why Jazz musicians began embracing and
reflecting in both music and words what Soul and Rock musicians had been airing
since the mid Sixties. Those staggeringly productive and explosive years saw in
an era of huge social change – and what comes screaming off every entry here is
the feeling of great players no longer satisfied with the confines of mere
Saxophone expertise and phrasing – it was get on board, shout to the rooftops
man or forever be that brooding young man in the corner – or worse - the
establishment's kicking-boy.
Long time associate to Ace -
DEAN RUDLAND has penned some killer liner notes before, but he's excelled with
this musically angry yet hopeful little brute of 75 and half minutes featuring
often lengthy tracks culled from three beloved labels - Milestone, Prestige and
Muse Records. There's a lot worth tooting your horn about here, so let's get to
those warriors of peace, Hard Bop, Modal and Jazz Fusion and the righteous
moments their inspired celestial bodies brought to us, most over 50-years ago...
UK released 26 April 2019 -
"If You're Not Part Of The Solution... Soul, Politics And Spirituality In
Jazz 1967 to 1975" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Beat Goes Public (BGP) CDBGPD
308 (Barcode 029667084123) is a 10-Track CD compilation that plays out as
follows (75:30 minutes):
1. If You're Not Part Of The
Solution, You're Part Of The Problem - JOE HENDERSON QUARTET (from the 1970 US
live LP "At The Lighthouse" on Milestone Records MSP 9028)
2. Black Feeling - JOHNNY HAMMOND SMITH (from
the 1970 US LP "Black Feeling" on Prestige PR 7736)
3. Celestial Bodies -
CATALYST (from the 1973 US LP "Perception" on Muse Records MR 5025)
4. John Coltrane - CLIFFORD
JORDAN QUARTET (from the 1975 US LP "Night Of The Mark VII" on Muse
Records MR 5076)
5. H.N.I.C. (Head Ni**er In
Charge) - HAROLD VICK (from the 1974 US LP "Commitment" on Muse
Records MR 5054 - a 1967 recording)
6. Towhid - JOHNNY LYTLE
(from the 1973 US LP "People & Love" on Milestone MSP 9043)
7. Bitches Brew - EDDIE
JEFFERSON (from the 1974 US LP "Things Are Getting Better" on Muse
Records MR 5043 - a MIles Davis cover)
8. Africans Unite - GARY
BARTZ NTU TROOP (from the 1973 US LP "Juju Street Songs" on Prestige
10057)
9. Warriors Of Peace - AZAR
LAWRENCE (from the 1974 US LP "Bridges Into The New Age" on Prestige
10086)
10. Let's Make Peace, Stop
The War - FUNK, INC. (from the 1972 US LP "Chicken Lickin'" on
Prestige 10043)
The 20-page booklet with
DEAN RUDLAND liner notes gives pride of picture place to the ten rare and
sought-after LP sleeves as well as musician breakdowns for each cut – huge
names like Victor Feldman playing vibes with Harold Vick, Bernard Purdie
playing drums for Johnny Hammond Smith whilst also highlighting hidden heroes
like Steve Weakley and his guitar work on the “What’s Going On” vibe to Funk,
Inc.’s “Let’s Make Peace, Stop The War”.
Long-time Audio Engineer NICK ROBBINS has handled the Remasters and
every track is kicking reflecting their original quality production values.
It opens with a winding
monster – former Blue Note Records stalwart Joe Henderson and his 11 and
half-minute live version of the compilation's title track "If You're Not
Part Of The Solution, You're Part Of The Problem". Recorded at The
Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach, California in September 1970, Ron McClure
provides the funky bass-line ably abetted by pianist George Cable and trumpeter
Woody Shaw punching in sexy solos as the night's groove took them. Philly
legends Norman Harris and Pat Gleeson provide guitar and synths for the Weather
Report-ish feel to "Celestial Bodies" from Catalyst while Harold Vick
gets radical and street with his "H.N.I.C." - head brothers in charge
- or words to that affect.
From his duo of socially
conscious platters - 1972's "The Soulful Rebel" and 1973's
"People & Love" - Rudland picks the Islam-themed
"Tawhid" from the latter where producer Orrin Keepnews brings out the
best in the five players involved including Marvin Cobell on Tenor Sax and
Betty Glamann on Harp. The murderous, sickening and farcical communist conflict
far away and ripping both countries apart (Vietnam and the USA) permeates into
the final duo - Azar Lawrence's "Warriors Of Peace" and Funk, Inc.'s
"Let's Make Peace, Stop The War". It's kind of disturbing that half a
century on, it feels like there's been some change for sure, but the message is
still disturbingly relevant.
A great listen and an
eye-opener, well done (as ever) to all involved...
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