Thursday, March 6, 2014

CHARLES BOBO SHAW and The Human Arts Ensemble – Çonceré Ntasiah (LP-1978)



Label: Universal Justice – UJ 101
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album; Country: US - Released: 1978
Style: Free Jazz, Jazz-Rock
Recorded at Studio Rivbea, New York, 1977. 
Mastered at The Master Cutting Room, New York.
Design – Stephanie Blumenthal
Mastered By – Joe Brescio
Photography By – Jacki Ochs, Rob Söteman
Photography By [Front Cover] – Giuseppe Pino
Producer [Post Production] – Michael Cuscuna
Recorded By – Ira Seigel

Charles Bobo Shaw & The Human Arts Ensemble / Çonceré Ntasiah (Universal Justice UJ101), rare small private label record issue in 1978.

Tracklist:
A1 - Steam Away Kool 500  9:53
A2 - Jacki Bee Tee  8:16
B1 - Concere Ntasiah (written-By – Abdul Wadud)  10:41
B2 - Be Bo Bo Be  5:09

Personnel:
CHARLES BOBO SHAW - drums
JOSEPH BOWIE - trombone
JULIUS HEMPHILL - soprano saxophone
FRANCOIS NYOMO MANTUILA - acoustic & electric guitars
ALEX BLAKE - bass, electric bass
ABDUL WADUD - cello

It was recorded around 1977, and released in 1981. The first track has a gritty, rockin' bass line, and a sound that would probably fit in with what the No Wave scenesters were digging on toward the end of the 1970s. Jacki Bee Tee is free improv number that has a bit of a Latin groove to it. Some more free jazz follows on the third track (Concere Ntasiah), which has an almost Gothic rhythm thing anchoring the proceedings - plenty of open space, and quiet moments, with some lovely acoustic guitar soloing. Be Bo Bo Be closes the album with a sound that I'd almost characterize as 1960s Archie Shepp or Marion Brown gone electric, with a splash of Revolutionary Ensemble thrown in - it's definitely fire music.



If you find it, buy this album!

11 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. New link:

      CHARLES BOBO SHAW - Concere Ntasiah (LP-1978)
      Vinyl Rip + Cover

      flac:
      https://www.sendspace.com/file/j4yv8c

      Delete
    2. Thank you for the re-up, Vitko!

      Delete
  2. Vitko these two by the Human Arts Ensemble are awesome and quite rare! This group was part of the St. Louis based BAG [black artists group] as I recall and they are something akin to the leadership position with respect to an ensemble that the Art Ensemble of Chicago was to the AACM. Joseph Bowie played in this group; he is brother to Dr. Lester Bowie of the AEOC. I am of the impression that Bobo Shaw was something of the leader of this gathering. Thanks so much Vitko!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This month I imagined as a kind of collector for the good old stuff. Enjoy!

      Delete
  3. Thank you, Vitko, for you spare my old (and tired) Lp's life !

    ReplyDelete
  4. Many thanks, Vitko! Very rare album! Excellent line-up! Now will listen :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. this looks like a real ass kicker.
    thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks man, this "old stuff" doesn't sound old to me!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Any chance for re-up in FLAC?

    ReplyDelete