Roy Brooks - Ethnic Expression on Im-Hotep Original

$

920

Artist:  ROY BROOKS AND THE ARTISTIC TRUTH

Album:  ETHNIC EXPRESSIONS

Label:  IM-HOTEP

Catalogue # :  CS-030

Vinyl/Cover:  G+ / VG

IMPORTANT:  I am helping my friend, Phil Ranelin – the great trombonist/composer and co-founder of the legendary Tribe record label, sell a number of LP’s (some of which are extremely rare) from his personal collection.  Mr. Ranelin would not be parting with these if he didn’t need the money.  Although he has thankfully recovered in body and spirit from a very serious car accident (late 2005) and is playing as well as ever - which is a very high level, indeed – amazingly, gigs have been few and far between.  As devastating as the current economic climate has been for so many, you can only imagine what it’s like for a jazz musician (let alone one who is black, plays the trombone and puts forth exquisite music of substance in the jazz hinterland that is Los Angeles).  Most of these recordings will be of particular interest to those who are into the spiritual jazz sounds that are often heard on the Black Jazz, ESP-Disk, Strata, Strata-East, Tribe, and similar independent labels and private pressings.

Anyway . . .

This is an ORIGINAL pressing of an extremely rare and highly sought after LP.  It was recorded live at the legendary Small’s Paradise in Harlem, New York in 1973.  According to Popsike, a copy of this LP recently sold for over $2500 (I'm just sayin')!

Tunes: SIDE ONE - “M’Jumbe”; “The Last Prophet”

             SIDE TWO – “The Smart Set”; “Eboness”; “Eboness (Kwanza)”

Personnel:      Roy Brooks – drums & various percussion instruments

                        Olu Dara – trumpet & E-flat horn

                        Hamiet Bluiett – baritone sax & clarinet

                        Reggie Workman - bass

                        Joseph Bonner - piano

                        Black Rose – ethnic expressionist

                        Eddie Jefferson – vocalist

                        Cecil Bridgewater – trumpet & flugelhorn

                        Sonny Fortune – alto sax & flute

                        John Stubblefield – tenor sax, flute & bass clarinet

                        Hilton Ruiz – piano (Fender Rhodes)

                        Richard Landrum – African percussion

                        Lawrence Williams – African percussion

The vinyl is pretty clean and still somewhat shiny.  There are several light scuffs and scratches, but nothing of serious sonic consequence with two notable exceptions.  The very first few seconds of the first side (while Roy Brooks is making introductory remarks) there are some strong ticks.  Sometimes they will make my needle (Shure M44-7 on a Technics 1200) skip, sometimes not.  “The Smart Set” also has three serious jumps during Eddie Jefferson’s opening verses.  The rest of the record plays quite decently with a few lesser ticks and minor surface noise in the quiet passages.  If not for the aforementioned skips/jumps, I would have probably called the vinyl VG+.

The cover has some light rub/ring wear on both sides of the cover (less so on the back). There is also a 2” split on the top seam near the opening.  No writing, stains or stickers.

1 cent minimum bid and no reserve!

I mail on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Also, be sure to check out my other auctions.  We have some amazing stuff up now and I’ll be glad to combine items to save you on shipping.

Please e-mail (xwel@aol.com) with any questions. 

Good luck!