ARCHIE SHEPP - The Cry Of My People (1973-2004) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded in 1972 with a core band of Leroy Jenkins, Cornell Dupree (!), Jimmy Garrison, and Charles McGhee, Shepp supplemented these proceedings in much the same way he did with the cast of Attica Blues, with gospel singers, big bands, quintets, sextets, and chamber orchestras, with guests that included Harold Mabern on piano, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie on drums, and Ron Carter on electric bass! Recorded during a period in which Shepp was reaching out of the jazz idiom to include all of what he perceived to be "trans-African" music at the time, there is gutbucket R&B here, as well as the sweetly soul gospel of "Rest Enough." The charts' arrangements are a combination of Ellington's more pastoral moods -- usually expressed in his suites -- and the more darkly complex modal stylings of George Russell. Unlike some of Shepp's dates from this period, the vocals do not detract from the mix employed here. This is an urban record that showcases Shepp's ability, at this time in his career, to literally take on any project, combine as many sources as he was permitted by his financial resources, and come up with something compelling, provocative, and soulful. All extremes are subsumed by the whole: The avant-garde free jazz of the period is covered in the large-ensemble playing, which is covered by the gospel and R&B stylings that are accented by the free jazz players. Shepp worked with many larger ensembles as a leader, but never did he achieve such a perfect balance as he did on The Cry of My People. Given that the remastered version -- with excellent liner notes, superb sound, and a gorgeous package -- is being issued during an election year in the United States, its poignancy and urgency couldn't be more timely.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1     Rest Enough (Song to Mother) 4:41
Backing Vocals – Andre Franklin, Patterson Singers
Lead Vocals – Peggy Blue
Written-By – Archie Shepp
2     A Prayer 6:29
Arranged By, Conductor – Romulus Franceschini
Written-By, Arranged By – Cal Massey    
3     All God's Children Got a Home in the Universe 2:58
Written-By – Archie Shepp
4     The Lady 5:31 Arranged By – Romulus Franceschini
Arranged By, Conductor – Cal Massey
Vocals – Joe Lee Wilson
Written-By – Bob Ford
5     The Cry of My People 5:45
Arranged By – Romulus Franceschini
Written-By, Arranged By, Conductor – Cal Massey    
6     African Drum Suite, Pt. 1-2 0:35
Vocals – Joe Lee Wilson
Written-By – William G. Harris
7     African Drum Suite, Pt. 2 7:34 Arranged By, Conductor – Dave Burrell
Berimbau, Percussion [Brazilian] – Guilherme Franco
Bongos, Congas – Nene DeFense
Tambourine, Congas – Terry Quaye
Written-By – William G. Harris
8     Come Sunday 9:30
Arranged By, Conductor – Charles Greenlee
Backing Vocals – Patterson Singers
Lead Vocals – Joe Lee Wilson
Written-By – Duke Ellington
Credits
Bass – Jimmy Garrison (pistas: 2, 4 to 8)
Bass [Fender] – Ron Carter (pistas: 1, 3, 5)
Cello – Esther Mellon (pistas: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8), Pat Dixon (pistas: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8)
Drums – Beaver Harris (pistas: 3 to 5), Bernard Purdie (pistas: 1, 2)
Guitar – Cornell Dupree (pistas: 1, 3)
Percussion – Nene DeFense (pistas: 2, 4, 5, 8)
Piano – Dave Burrell (pistas: 6. 7), Harold Mabern (pistas: 1 to 5, 8)
Soprano Saxophone – Archie Shepp (pistas: 2, 4, 7)
Tambourine – Nene DeFense (pistas: 1, 3)
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp (pistas: 3, 4, 5, 8)
Trombone – Charles Greenlee (pistas: 2 to 7), Charles Stephens (pistas: 2 to 5, 8)
Trumpet – Charles McGhee (pistas: 2 to 5, 7, 8)
Violin – Gayle Dixon (pistas: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8), Jerry Little (pistas: 4, 7, 8), John Blake (pistas: 2, 5), Leroy Jenkins (pistas: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8), Lois Siessinger (pistas: 2, 5), Noel DaCosta (pistas: 4, 7, 8)