Phil Ranelin

• IMPORT JAPAN

• 180 GRAM VINYL LP

•LP COVER WITH OBI-STRIP

• 4 1/2 stars all music guide

Vibes From the Tribe is a fine record. The title track is lusciously, greasily funky and stands in pretty stark contrast to the kind of airbrushed fusion that was in vogue at the time. "Sounds from the Village" is even better (and dirtier), showcasing Ranelin's oily trombone gymnastics and a viciously fuzzed guitar solo. "Wife" features Phil's singing and is oddly reminiscent of Frank Zappa's writing on Sleep Dirt; an affecting, snaking melody topped off with a beautiful solo from the leader, whose playing here has the grace of Bob Brookmeyer coupled with the agility of George Lewis.

"He The One We All Knew" is the obligatory Coltrane tribute and is a trip into the kind of groove based free playing typical of Pharoah Sanders, though only really picks up when the band launch into post bop swing mode in the last six minutes or so, provoking another fine Ranelin solo. Bassist Ralph Armstrong is particularly strong here; his brief solo passages are a wonder of agility and tough lyricism that make me wonder why he's not better known. Other highlights come from the mellifluous flute of Wendell Harrison. Beautiful stuff, and it's good to know that Ranelin is still at work even now. Essential.

PERSONNEL:

• Phil Ranelin - (trombone, vocals, percussion)
• George Davidson - (drums on A1-A5)
• Lopez Leon - (electric bass on A1-A5)
• Ron English - (electric bass on A1-A5)
• Kenny Cox - (electric piano on A1-A5)
• Wendell Harrison - (tenor saxophone on A1-A2,A5), flute on A3, A4)
• Marcus Belgrave - (trumpet on A1-A5)
• Ralph Armstrong - (electric guitar on A2, bass on A3, A4 & B1)
• Buddy Budson - (electric piano on A2)
• Barbara Huby - (percussion on A2, A4) congas on A4)
• Harold McKinney - (piano on A3, A4)
• Bud Spangler - ( percussion on A4)
• Tariq Abdus Samad - (drums on B1)
• Ken Thomas - (piano on B1)
• Ddaud Abdul Kahafiz - (Sitar on B1)
• Faruk Hanif Bey - (tenor & soprano saxophone, congas on B1)

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Vibes From the Tribe (Prelude)
• A2. Sounds From the Village
• A3. Wife
• A4. For the Children
• A5. Vibes From the Tribe (Encore)

• SIDE B
• B1. He The One We All Knew (Part 1 & 2)