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| LATEST SOUL BROTHER RELEASES |
Gary
Bartz - Anthology
12 indemand/best tracks from
one of the great underground jazz artists of the 70’s.   Read Review |
V/A - African
Spirits
A Spiritual Jazz Journey
Looking Back To Africa...
Read Review |
Kofy Brown - Love
Warrior
Brand new set from smoky voiced
West Coast powerhouse... Read
Review |
Leroy Hutson - Hutson
1
All-time classic soul set from
one of the greats...
Read Review |
V/A - Groove On
Down
12 classic soulful boogie and
disco classics...
Read Review |
Ann Sexton -
Anthology
Southern soul diva's best work
collected for the first time...
Read Review |
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Gary Bartz had already
released three critically acclaimed solo albums for the NY Milestone label, by
the time he founded his Ntu group and recorded his epic 'Harlem Bush Music'
albums in late 1970. These sessions were released as two separate albums
'Taifa' and 'Uhuru' and the music and lyrics reflected Gary's awareness of his
African roots, his spirituality and political beliefs. He had also honed his
skills playing in band led by Art Blakey, Max Roach, and McCoy Tyner. We start
this Anthology of one of the most revered jazz saxophonists in 1970. The
message within the Harlem Bush Music sessions are still as relevant today as
when they were recorded nearly 35 years ago, and this music still has a
profound impact on people hearing it for the first time. Gary produced some
stunning musical statements with his unique aggressive but rhythmic approach.
His lyrics articulated the emerging pride of the black community in America and
their search for their roots. Gary was ably supported by vocalist Andy Bey who
himself emerged as one of the most distinctive jazz vocalists, and a group of
young musicians who pushed forward the boundaries whilst always maintaining a
firm rhythmic base for him to build on. This is well illustrated by 'Celestial
Blues' and 'Uhuru Sasa' featured here, both now regarded as classics. 'Dr
Follows Dance' is a fiery, funky jazz dancer that really kicks leaving the
listener wanting more when it finishes prematurely after just two and half
minutes of pure magic. 'I've Known Rivers' has perhaps become the pinnacle of
Bartz's recorded material. The track was recorded live at the Montreux Jazz
Festival in July 1973, with a young Hubert Eaves having just replaced Andy Bey
on keyboards, and an even younger (at 17), Howard King on drums, and Gary
taking over the vocal duties himself. This track totally encapsulates the best
of Gary Bartz's music from that period, with a nod to Langston Hughes in the
lyrics; it is a joyous track that swings like mad, with great individual
performances, underpinned by the driving rhythm section. His cover of Leon
Ware's often recorded 'I Wanna Be Where You Are' taken from his Prestige debut
'Juju Street Songs' is probably the most melodic track selected from his five
album stay at that label, which shows a warmer side to Gary's playing. 'Juju
Man' with its heavy reference to John Coltrane's 'Love Supreme' both lyrically
and musically shows the harsher and more free side to Bartz. The track features
some great solos from Gary and Charles Mims on piano. It is taken from an album
of the same name, one of two he recorded for the independent Catalyst label in
1976 after he left Prestige, before joining Capitol the next year. The mellow
version of 'My Funny Valentine' featuring the exquisite voice of Syretta (who
recently died) which concludes this Anthology was also taken from the album.
Having self produced his previous two albums, Gary handed over the production
of his 1975 album 'The Shadow Do' to the Mizell Brothers, (although he still
co-produced it) who had made an impact with many artists including Donald Byrd,
Bobby Humphrey and Johnny Hammond. The Mizell's distinctive sound worked well
with Gary's style to produce a great jazz-fusion album. Included here from that
set are the funky 'Sea Gypsy' and the mid tempo 'Gentle Smiles' whose hook line
was sampled by Tribe Called Qwest in the 1990's. He stayed reunited with Larry
and Fonce Mizell on his debut with Capitol 'Music Is My Sanctuary' in 1977. The
title track has become a jazz funk anthem and has led a lot of people into
Gary's music. The female vocals are again those of Syretta. The other standout
track from that album is featured here, the Latin tinged 'Carnaval De
L'espirit'. After this album Gary worked with Mtume and Lucas producing two
more commercial, less jazz oriented albums for Capitol and Arista, before
disappearing from the recording scene for best part of a decade. Today Gary is
well in demand again as a live musician, playing more straight- ahead, Coltrane
influenced, bluesy jazz and is regarded as one of the elder statesmen on the
jazz scene in USA. Hopefully this Anthology will help Gary reach a new audience
and gain further recognition for the great music that he made during the
1970's.
TRACKLISTING
Celestial Blues (7.32) Uhuru
Sasa (6.45) Drinking Song (5.14) Dr Follows Dance (2.38) I've Known Rivers
(8.33) I Wanna Be Where You Are (abbr. 7.13) Ju Ju Man (9.10) My Funny
Valentine (7.09) Sea Gypsy (6.17) Gentle Smiles (4.20) Music Is My Sanctuary
(6.19) Carnaval De L'Espirit (5.54)
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