Mastodawn

Gemini II by Marcus Belgrave, released on Tribe in 1974.

Dusty Groove wrote:

...The groove picks up in the same domain as the better Art Ensemble Of Chicago records of the late 60s and early 70s -- with the rubbery funk electric bass lines and celestial groove of the funkier moments, but deeper sounds of more spiritual points too. Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave plays in a beautiful ensemble, packed with Tribe labelmates -- Wendell Harrison on tenor sax & percussion, Phil Ranelin on trombone, and Harold McKinney on electric piano. Roy Brooks and Billy Turner are on drums and percussion, and the expansive vibe is fleshed out with the help of Lorenzo Brown on bongos and Daryl Dybka on mini Moog. The record includes Belgrave's beautiful epic "Space Odyssey", which has a long flowing cosmic groove, nice electronics, and haunting trumpet solos....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oANhWokplJ4&list=RDoANhWokplJ4&start_radio=1

#MarcusBelgrave #TribeRecords #FreeJazz #Jazz #SpiritualJazz #Music

Andi Chorley Oct 10

Reflections In The Sea Of Nurnen by Doug Hammond & David Durrah, released on Tribe in 1975

Reflections In The Sea Of Nurnen is the masterpiece debut release from drummer, percussionist and vocalist Doug Hammond in collaboration with keyboardist David Durrah, who is known for his session work for Black Jazz and Tribe Records. Originally planned for issue on Strata-East, Hammond instead took the record to Phil Ranelin and Wendell Harrison’s Detroit-based Tribe Records. Hammond’s velvet smooth vocal shimmers on the soul-jazz number “Wake Up Brothers” and the poetry-laced “Moves,” while Durrah’s Fender Rhodes and Moog synthesizer add a cosmic, avant-garde flavor to record with the instrumental pieces “Reflections” and “Space I + II.”... - In Sheep's Clothing Hi Fi

https://doug-hammond.bandcamp.com/album/reflections-in-the-sea-of-nurnen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPRx476Vf9Y&list=RDDPRx476Vf9Y&start_radio=1

#DougHammond #DavidDurrah #TribeRecords #SpiritualJazz #Jazz #Madlib #Music

Andi Chorley May 29, 2025

An Evening With the Devil by Wendell Harrison released in 1973 on Tribe Records

"Following the 1972 release of Message From The Tribe, the second release from vaunted spiritual jazz label Tribe, was co-founder Wendell Harrison’s solo debut, An Evening With The Devil. Originally included on the A-side of Message From The Tribe’s first version (the edition featuring a photo of a quay on the cover), the release of An Evening With The Devil in 1973 saw the suite fully realized, with two additional songs and studio knowhow making the album a true spiritual jazz masterpiece." - Light in the Attic Records

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTEVljdZnHY

#wendellharrison #triberecords #spiritualjazz #freejazz

Andi Chorley May 23, 2025

Message from the Tribe by Phil Ranelin and Wendell Harrison released on Tribe Records in 1972.

"Phil Ranelin (born May 25, 1939) is an American jazz and experimental music trombonist.
Career
Ranelin was born in Indianapolis and lived in New York City before moving to Detroit in the 1960s. He played as a session musician on many Motown recordings, including with Stevie Wonder. In 1971, he and Wendell Harrison formed a group called The Tribe, which was an avant-garde jazz ensemble devoted to black consciousness. Alongside it he co-founded Tribe Records. He released several albums as a leader in the 1970s, and continued with The Tribe project until 1978. Following this, Ranelin worked with Freddie Hubbard." - Wikipedia

Message from the Tribe was the bebut release from the Tribe and is a sublime classic of spiritual jazz.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCKHCgRHYtc&list=OLAK5uy_nygMS1kOWC1HDCWrLLR-Ne1J_BeNBeqrQ

#philranelin #wendellharrison #triberecords #spiritualjazz #freejazz