Kelan Phil Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble

Philip Cohran – Unity
Philip Cohran – On The Beach
Philip Cohran – The Minstrel

Now that this record has found a new home, in Japan no less, I figured I’d I throw it a going away party, in the form of a dig deep post. Phil Cohran is a Chicago area musician who performed in a number of groups including the Sultans of Swing and Sun Ra’s Arkestra, in addition to being a member of the A.A.C.M. His legacy lives on in the form of his 8 sons who perform in the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. I’d seen reissues of this record in the last couple of years and admired the sound so when I ran into a copy at Groove Merchant, even though it wasn’t in the greatest of condition, I was more than happy to snatch it up.

This record has some of the style and similar sound of Sun Ra, but it’s also got this entirely different quality to it. Soulful, spiritual and very very deep. On my recent post about the auction that this record is apart of I included one of the 4 tracks “The Minstrel” (reposted above, in addition to all the amazing things about that song musically, I love the phrasing on the lyric “Got to get myself away from here,” that makes “here” sound like “Her”), here I’ll include a couple others (all that’s missing is the short, sweet vocal track “Motherhood”).

“Unity” is a spiritual soul-jazz groover with African melodies and some odd instrumentation and sounds, either coming from Pete Cosey using a bow on his electric guitar or from what’s called a “Violin Uke” that Cohran is responsible for. It’s pretty stunning and there’s few things I’ve heard as thrilling as this piece.

You would think that a song titled “On The Beach,” would be all about the sunshine, but instead the group opts for almost the exact opposite tone, slow, careful, slightly mournful, almost dirge like, with explosive pockets of sound (it’s also where you can hear much more of the “poppin’ popcorn” associated with the lower grade on this record, though it adds to it’s charm if you ask me). “Beach” is a gorgeous piece of music, dedicated (according to the liner notes) to the “Brothers and Sisters” who attended workshops and concerts put on by the Ensemble at the “64th Street Beach House” in 1967.

Soon enough this record will find a new home, Melting Pot will get some funds for the new year and I’ll be on the hunt again for a copy of this and the other very rare records put out by this exceptional group.

Cheers,

Michael

Mad Genius Level Work From Edan

Edan – Echo Party (Excerpt)

Still very early, but the more I delve into this 30 minute mix by Edan of the Traffic Entertainment Catalog (which includes Enjoy, P&P, Sound of New York and other old school New York labels) the more I’m in awe of what he’s done here. More than a mix, he’s added effects, his own instrumentation (including the kazoo heard in the excerpt above) and the mind boggles at how this all came together. Apparently the CD version has extensive notes on all the manipulations done here.

My man Matthew Africa said it best in a write up on his blog, “It’s so vast, so detailed and weird that it makes me feel like a really shitty, lazy DJ.” Generally that’s how most DJs make me feel, but especially so Edan’s work here. Hell, I’m just happy to have a test press of this one…

And just when you thought it couldn’t achieve a higher level of pure dopeocity, there’s even going to be a film and possible DVD in 2010. Here’s the first mind melting excerpt:

Given Tuesday’s big national/international news, seemed like Curtis’ “We Got To Have Peace” was the best place to start. Lots of new tuneage, Blakroc (which I just had to pair with Baby Huey), Natural Yogurt Band, Federico Aubele and Alice Russell remxies, Charlotte Gainsbourg with Beck, Guilty Simpson, Edan and Mr. Chop paying tribute to Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. Older tracks from Axelrod, The Derek Lawrence Statement, Johnny Clarke and recently unearthed new recordings from Philip Cohran & the Artistic Heritage Ensemble. Enjoy it while it’s here on demand until next week’s show…