Phil Ranelin Vibes From the Tribe

High Quality 180g Vinyl LP!
Remastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering!
Trombonist Phil Ranelin is joined by a host of musicians for this 180g vinyl release featuring recordings from 1975.
"Phil Ranelin was a session trombonist recording with the likes of Steve Wonder before setting up the Tribe label with Wendell Harrison in Detroit.
"Like other contemporary artist run labels like Strata East and Black Jazz, Tribe releases were characterized by a heady mix of post Coltrane free jazz, soul and funk, all informed by a strong political conscience.
"Vibes From the Tribe is a fine record. The title track is lusciously, greasily funky and stands in pretty stark contrast to the kind of airbrushed fusion that was in vogue at the time. "Sounds from the Village" is even better (and dirtier), showcasing Ranelin's oily trombone gymnastics and a viciously fuzzed guitar solo. "Wife" features Phil's singing and is oddly reminiscent of Frank Zappa's writing on Sleep Dirt; an affecting, snaking melody topped off with a beautiful solo from the leader, whose playing here has the grace of Bob Brookmeyer coupled with the agility of George Lewis.
Phil Ranelin was a session trombonist with musicians like Steve Wonder before founding the Tribe label in Detroit with Wendell Harrison. Like other contemporary artist labels such as Strata East and Black Jazz, the Tribe releases were characterized by an exhilarating mix of post-Coltrane free jazz, soul and funk characterized by a strong political consciousness.
"Vibes From the Tribe" is a great record. The title track is lush, boldly funky and stands in stark contrast to the kind of Stomlinie fusion that was trendy at the time. "Sounds From The Village" is even better (and dirtier) and is characterized by Ranelin's oily trombone gymnastics and a vicious guitar solo. On "Wife" Phil's singing can be heard and strangely reminiscent of Frank Zappa's composition "Sleep Dirt"; a touching, meandering melody, rounded off with a beautiful solo by the leader, whose playing here combines the grace of Bob Brookmeyer with the agility of George Lewis.
"He The One We All Knew" is the obligatory Coltrane tribute and is a trip into Pharoah Sanders' typical kind of groove-based free spins, which only really picks up speed when the band goes into post-bop swing mode in the last six minutes and provokes another fine Ranelin solo. Bassist Ralph Armstrong is particularly strong here; his short solo passages are a marvel of agility and hard lyrics, which raise the question of why he is not better known. Wendell Harrison sets further highlights with his lovely flute. Beautiful material, and it's good to know that Ranelin is still working now.
"He The One We All Knew" is the obligatory Coltrane tribute and is a trip into the kind of groove based free playing typical of Pharoah Sanders, though only really picks up when the band launch into post bop swing mode in the last six minutes or so, provoking another fine Ranelin solo. Bassist Ralph Armstrong is particularly strong here; his brief solo passages are a wonder of agility and tough lyricism that make me wonder why he's not better known. Other highlights come from the mellifluous flute of Wendell Harrison. Beautiful stuff, and it's good to know that Ranelin is still at work even now. Essential." - by Peter Marsh, bbc.co.uk, 2002

Features:

• High quality 180g Vinyl LP
• Remastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London
• 2018 release endorsed by Phil Ranelin
• Made in the U.K.

Musicians:

• Phil Ranelin, trombone, (vocals, percussion A3,4; B1)
• George Davidson, drums (A1-5)
• Lopez Leon, electric bass (A1,5)
• Ron English, electric bass (A1,5)
• Kenny Cox, electric piano (A1,5)
• Wendell Harrison, tenor saxophone (A1-2,5), flute (A3,4)
• Marcus Belgrave, trumpet (A1,5)
• Ralph Armstrong, electric guitar (A2) bass (A3,4; B1)
• Buddy Budson, electric piano (A2)
• Barbara Huby, percussion (A2,4) congas (A4)
• Harold McKinney, piano (A3,4)
• Bud Spangler, percussion (4)
• Tariq Abdus Samad, drums (B1)
• Ken Thomas, piano (B1)
• Ddaud Abdul Kahafiz, Sitar (B1)
• Faruk Hanif Bey, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, congas (B1)

Selections:

Side A
1. Vibes From The Tribe (Prelude)
2. Sounds From The Village
3. Wife
4. For The Children
5. Vibes From The Tribe (Encore)
Side B
1. He The One We All Knew (Parts 1 & 2)