Description
Re-mastering by: Cicely Baston at Alchemy/Air Mastering, London
Wendell Harrison was born in Detroit in 1942 where he began formal jazz studies for piano, clarinet and tenor saxophone. At 14, while still in high school, Harrison started performing & recording professionally with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Grant Green, Sun Ra, Hank Crawford and many others.
In 1971, Harrison began teaching music at Metro Arts (a multi-arts complex for youth) where he also connected with Marcus Belgrave, Harold McKinney and Phil Ranelinsoon after they formed the (now legendary) Afro-centric TRIBE record label and artist collective. TRIBE used the Metro Arts complex as a vehicle to convey a growing black political consciousness. Wendell Harrison also published the very popular TRIBE magazine, a publication dedicated to local and national social and political issues, as well as featuring artistic contributions such as poetry and visual pieces.
In 1978 Harrison and McKinney co-founded REBIRTH, a non-profit jazz performance and education organization, in which many notable jazz artists have participated. Around the same time Wendell Harrison also created the WENHA record label and publishing company, which released many of his (now classic) recordings as well as those of other artists, such as Phil Ranelin, Doug Hammond and Reggie Fields (The Real ShooBeeDoo).
In the early 1990s, Wendell Harrison was awarded the title of Jazz Master by Arts Midwest. This distinction led Harrison to collaborate with fellow honorees and gave him the chance to tour throughout the United States, Middle East and Africa. Even to this day Wendell Harrisons recordings for the TRIBE, WENHA and REBIRTH labels have a large worldwide fanbase.
DREAMS OF A LOVE SUPREME is a monster album that features an all-star line-up that includes Phil Ranelin on trombone, Harold McKinney on Keyboards and Roy Brooks on percussion. Although you can hear the 80ies creeping in with a smoother sound, more synths, and disco/R&B vocals this remains a very spiritual (and soulful) jazz record. The records an irresistible blend of soul jazz combined with funky electric instrumentationa groovy sound which is very much of its time, yet overtly timeless and as relevant today as it was back when it was initially released. Notes courtesy of Tidal Waves
Personnel:
Keyboards Andrew Gibson (3), Harold McKinney, Kamau Kenyatta, Lopez Leon, Pamela Wise
Bass Craig Tyner, Jervonny Collier, Kenny Lee, Wendell Lucas, William Austin
Guitar Charles Hawkins, Jerone H. Clark, Joe Byrd
Drums Andrew Gibson (3), Anthony Robertson, George Davidson, Joe Tandy
Percussion Andrew Gibson (3), Billy Turner, Charles Howard, Fred Scott, Lawrence Williams, Roy Brooks
Horns Flute Vincent Bowen, Wendell Harrison,
Soprano Saxophone Wendell Harrison
Tenor Saxophone Vincent Bowen, Wendell Harrison
Trombone Phil Ranelin
Trumpet Herbie William, Racey Briggs
Lead Vocals Miche Braden, Oliver Butch Cheatum*
Backing Vocals Audrey Childress, Daline Hubbard, Miche Braden, Oliver Butch Cheatum*, Pamela Wise
Arranged By Andrew Gibson (3), Miche Braden, Wendell Harrison
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