RARE Test Pressing / Vibes From The Tribe BREAKS

$

36

Artist:  PHIL RANELIN

Album:  VIBES FROM THE TRIBE

Label:  TRIBE

Catalogue # :  TRCD 4008

Vinyl/Cover:  G / VG++

IMPORTANT:  I am helping my friend, Phil Ranelin – the great trombonist/composer and co-founder of the legendary Tribe record label, sell a number of extremely rare LP’s from his personal collection.  Mr. Ranelin would not be parting with these if he didn’t need the money.  Although he has thankfully recovered in body and spirit from a very serious car accident (late 2005) and is playing as well as ever - which is a very high level, indeed, amazingly gigs have been few and far between.  As rough as the last few years have been for so many, you can only imagine what it’s like for a jazz musician (let alone one who is black, plays the trombone and puts forth exquisite music of substance in the jazz hinterland that is Los Angeles).  Most of these recordings will be of particular interest to those who are into the spiritual jazz sounds that are often heard on the Black Jazz, ESP-Disk, Strata, Strata-East, Tribe, and similar independent labels and private pressings.

Anyway . . .

Side A is an ORIGINAL test pressing (one of five) of half of a rare and highly sought after 1976 LP on the legendary Tribe record label out of Detroit.  I say “half of” because Side B is a test pressing of some light folky/country(-ish) record of which I know nothing about.  It’s probably a local Detroit group (one tune references Lake Superior) that happened to use the same pressing plant as Tribe.  So really this is half of Vibes From The Tribe and half of something wildly different.  What you’re missing on Side B is the side-long track called “He The One We All Knew (Parts 1 & 2)” which was a Coltrane dedication and featured Griot Galaxy (Frank Hanif Bey – tenor sax / soprano sax / congas; Daud Abdul Kahafiz – zeetar; Ken Thomas – piano; Tariq Abdus Samad - drums).  A drag, to be sure, but you still get the breakbeat classic title track and several other gems.  I did not have the time or inclination to listen carefully to Side B in its entirety.  Who knows, it could also be rare and valuable.

Tunes: SIDE A - “Vibes From The Tribe” (prelude); “Sounds From The Village”; “Wife”; “For The Children”; “Vibes From The Tribe” (encore)

             SIDE B - ?

Personnel: Phillip Ranelin – trombone / vocals / percussion; Wendell Harrison – tenor sax / flute; Marcus Belgrave – trumpet; Ralph Armstrong – electric guitar / bass; Lopez Leon – electric bass; Ron English – electric bass; Kenny Cox – electric piano; Buddy Budson – electric piano; Harold McKinney – piano; Barbara Huby – congas & various percussions; Bud Spangler – percussion; George Davidson – drums;.

The vinyl is in generally decent condition.  For the most part, it plays pretty nicely.  There is some minor surface noise noticeable during the quieter passages. but nothing serious.  However, there are a couple of small jumps on “Sounds From The Village”.

The cover is in excellent condition and shows very few signs of wear.

Ridiculous minimum and no reserve. 

I mail on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Also, be sure to check out my other auctions.  We have some amazing stuff up now and I’ll be glad to combine items to save you on shipping.

Please e-mail (xwel@aol.com) with any questions. 

Good luck!