Ali As

Rashied Ali - New York Ain't So Bad: Ali Plays the Blues (1975) {Knit Classics KCR-3025 rel 1999}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 205 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 87 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 49 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1975, 1999 Knit Classics / Survival Records | KCR-3025
Jazz / Post Bop / Avant-Garde Jazz / Drums

From the first in a series of obscure reissues by the Knitting Factory label, this Rashied Ali-led session from 1975 is exactly what it says it is, a blues date featuring the unusual, deep soul vocals of Royal Blue, who comes off styling his blues from the T-Bone Walker school of Texas blues crossed with the voiced passion of a Big Joe Turner and the clarity of speech that comes from Joe Williams with Count Basie. The Rashied Ali Quintet is the backing band, which featured Charles Eubanks on piano (and he is a truly amazing blues pianist), James Vass on alto sax and flute, Benny Wilson on bass, Marvin Blackman on tenor and flute, and, of course, Ali on drums.

Ali Farka Touré is well known as one of the most influential and talented guitarists that Africa has ever produced. His legacy and impact are hard to overstate: Ali’s sound merged his much-loved traditional Malian musical styles with distinct elements of the blues, resulting in the creation of a groundbreaking new genre, now well known as the ‘desert blues’, earning him 3 Grammy awards and widespread reverence. 'Voyageur' is the first release of previously unheard music since 2006’s 'Savane', and features a collection of recordings captured at various points in Ali’s illustrious career. The album, which features fellow Malian superstar Oumou Sangaré on 3 tracks, reaffirms Ali’s status as a globally revered legend of African music.