ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO - Les Stances a Sophie (1970-2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In 1970, the members of the Art Ensemble of Chicago were living as expatriates in Paris. The group had only recently expanded to its permanent quintet status with the addition of drummer/percussionist Don Moye when they were asked by New Wave director Moshé Mizrahi to provide the soundtrack for his movie Les Stances a Sophie. The result was one of the landmark records of the burgeoning avant-garde of the time and, simply put, one of the greatest jazz albums ever. On two of the tracks, the Art Ensemble is joined by vocalist Fontella Bass, at the time the wife of trumpeter Lester Bowie and riding the success of her pop-soul hit "Rescue Me." She's featured most prominently on the opening number, "Theme de Yoyo," an astounding piece that has achieved legendary status as the finest fusion of funk and avant-garde jazz ever recorded. The mix is indeed seamless, with Moye and Favors laying down a throbbing, infectious groove, Bass singing the surreally erotic lyrics with enormous soul, and the horn players soloing with ecstatic abandon. The remaining pieces cover a wide range stylistically with no less beauty and imagination, including two variations on a theme by Monteverdi, intense free improvising, and soft, deeply probing sonic investigations. Their extensive knowledge of prior jazz styles, love of unusual sound sources (the so-called "little instruments), and fearless exploration of the furthest reaches of both instrumental and compositional possibilities came into full flower on this record. by Brian Olewnick  
Tracklist :
1     Theme de Yoyo 9:10
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
2     Theme de Celine 3:04
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
3     Variations Sur un Theme de Monteverdi I 3:02
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
4     Variations Sur un Theme de Monteverdi II 1:50
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
5     Proverbes, No. 1 2:38
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
6     Theme Amour Universal 3:51
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
7     Theme Libre 8:49
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
8     Proverbes, No. 2 1:22
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass, Percussion – Malachi Favors
Drums – Don Moye
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Saxophone [Bass], Clarinet, Flute, Percussion – Roscoe Mitchell
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Percussion – Joseph Jarman
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Percussion – Lester Bowie
Vocals, Piano – Fontella Bass

ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO - Art Ensemble Of Chicago With Fontella Bass (1972) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Art Ensemble of Chicago with Fontella Bass was recorded in a Paris studio in 1970. The band had been gigging regularly in the city and this session offered an intimate view of the live material including "How Strange" which appeared later on Live in Paris. "How Strange" is part of a suite with "Ole Jed," comprising nearly 22 minutes. Bass, an R&B and gospel singer by trade and Lester Bowie's wife at the time, adds a wonderful theatrical and sonic dimension to the Art Ensemble's creative juggernaut. "How Strange" begins with an African chant by Joseph Jarman and Bass. As the instruments enter in earnest, one can hear traces of "Round Midnight" waft through the background and then the musical reality play is off an running. Bass sings, roars, growls, chants and spits poetry, becoming another fiery instrument in the band's arsenal. On "Horn, Webb," Don Moye kicks it with a trap drum solo. For nearly four minutes before the tack comes to a standstill and the horns of Jarman, Bowie and Roscoe Mitchell come in, blaring in unison before the work becomes a long, spacious textural study with many dynamic and colorful shifts along the way. Thirty-six years later, this piece still sounds fresh, new, full of inquiry and excitement. This set stands the test of time beautifully.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1    Part One: How Strange - Part Two: Ole Jed 21:57
Composed By – J. Jarman, L. Bowie, M. Favors, R. Mitchell
2    Horn Webb 19:39
Composed By – R. Mitchell
Credits :
Bass, Bass [Fender], Banjo, Drums [Log], Sitar [Cythar], Percussion – Malachi Favors
Drums, Marimba [Bass], Temple Block, Bells – Don Moye
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Bass Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Cymbal, Gong, Congas, Percussion [Logs], Bells, Siren, Whistle, Steel Drums – Roscoe Mitchell
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe, Flute, Marimba, Vibraphone, Congas, Bells, Whistle, Gong, Siren, Guitar – Joseph Jarman
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Bass Drum, Horns [Steerhorns] – Lester Bowie
Vocals – Fontella Bass