Rnboi Ghetto

Ntu with Gary Bartz - Singerella: A Ghetto Fairy Tale (1973) {Prestige-BGP Records CDBGPM 219 rel 2010}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 258 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 93 Mb
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© 1973-74, 2010 Prestige / Concord Music / BGP Records / Ace Records | CDBGPM 219
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Fusion / Saxophone

Digitally re-mastered edition of this 1973 album. Saxophonist Bartz is one of the great post-Coltrane saxophonists. He made his professional name in New York in the early '60s before hooking up with McCoy Tyner later in the decade, and played with Miles Davis in the period immediately after the release of Bitches Brew. He formed his band the NTU Troop at the same time and began to experiment with Funk rhythms, lyrics and Jazz improvisations.

"Issued in July 1977 as Let's Clean Up the Ghetto by the Philadelphia International All-Stars, this is one of Philly soul's most socially aware efforts. The album's title track was a coming together of artists signed to Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records: Lou Rawls, Billy Paul, Archie Bell, Teddy Pendergrass, Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, and Eddie Levert and Walter Williams of the O'Jays. The compelling track with its "we're on the move'' bassline went to number four R&B, number 91 pop on Billboard's charts in summer 1977. The profits were allotted to a charity program. Even though the rest of the LP consists of various unreleased tracks, the result is consistent. The brassy "The Big Gangster" by the O'Jays got airplay as an album track. Other highlights are the fervent "Now Is the Time to Do It" by Teddy Pendergrass; the buoyant, optimistic "New World Comin'" by Billy Paul' and Archie Bell & the Drells' celebration of seniors, "Old People," produced by Bunny Sigler."

If you're talking about packaging, the flaws of this disc are considerable. Comprised of 14 songs from 1960-1990 (most from 1960-71), the unifying theme is that all of them are taking from Houston recording sessions. But while recording dates and some personnel are noted, the original labels and dates of release are not. Furthermore, although the liner notes give a reasonable overview of Copeland's career, the tracks on this specific compilation are not discussed. And, putting the boot in, the cuts are not sequenced chronologically, but arranged almost as if someone had pressed the random button on a CD remote……..

Willie James Lyons plays just a few bars and if you dig the blues you immediately realize that he is one of the greatest blues-guitarists. Yet, this album is the first he has recorded! He is a very personal musician, an exceptional creator with inventive ideas, with phrases full of lyrism and feelings. His very beautiful, warm and pure tone allows one to identify him from the very first notes. Along with Willie Kent the singer of the band, you'll get a taste of an every night bluessession on Chicago's West Side. Hot, pure, intence and full of deep emotion of the blues.