WENDELL HARRISON – The Carnivorous Lady (2023 Reissue w/ Obi Strip, Mastered at 45RPM) – LP – 180g Vinyl

LP -180g Black Vinyl. Rare Detroit Jazz-Funk Fusion Album from 1988. First ever vinyl reissue. Mastered on 45 RPM for an optimal audiophile experience. Featuring an all-star line-up including Tribe alumni Marcus Belgrave & Duke Billingslea.

Wendell Harrison was born in Detroit in 1942 where he began formal jazz studies for piano, clarinet and tenor saxophone. At 14, while still in high school, Harrison started performing & recording professionally with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Grant Green, Sun Ra, Hank Crawford … and many others.

In 1971, Harrison began teaching music at Metro Arts (a multi-arts complex for youth) where he also connected with Marcus Belgrave, Harold McKinney and Phil Ranelin…soon after they formed the (now legendary) Afro-centric Tribe record label and artist collective. Tribe used the Metro Arts complex as a vehicle to convey a growing black political consciousness. Wendell Harrison also published the very popular Tribe magazine, a publication dedicated to local and national social and political issues, as well as featuring artistic contributions such as poetry and visual pieces.

On this fantastic sounding album (produced by the maestro himself) the listener is invited to experience a synthesis of what has been and what is now. The record shows Wendells trademark proficiency on saxophone, flute and clarinet. Although you can hear the 80ies creeping in with a smoother fusion sound, infectious boogie synths, R&B vocals and a lot of mind-blowing Jazz-Funk percussions…this album remains a very spiritual (and soulful) hard bop jazz record.

From the first to the last note you get an irresistible blend of soul jazz combined with funky electric instrumentation…a groovy sound which is very much ahead of its time, yet overtly timeless and as relevant today as it was back when it was initially released. A total must-have that just begs for a prominent place in your record collection!

Tracklist:

A1. The Carnivorous Lady [5:11]
A2. Love Overboard [4:26]
A3. The Glamorous Life [4:41]

B1. Ginseng Love [4:35]
B2. Possibilities [4:22]
B3. The Wok [4:47]