Art Ensemble Of Chicago – Les Stances A Sophie OST [Nessa] ‘1970 + Bonus Videos From The Movie

Blaxploitation.com
This quite extraordinary cosmic jazz score was recorded in France by Lester Bowie and Art Ensemble of Chicago in July 1970. The album features vocals by the excellent singer Fontella Bass, who also plays piano. As you might expect from the name of the group, this is advanced (and for the most part, very experimental and free) jazz, so won’t appeal to all. The sheer power and audacity of the music stills holds the listener spellbound during many of the tracks, the best of which is the stunning ‘Theme de Yoyo’. Very hard to find on original vinyl, this album has since been reissued and the best track was also showcased on a Universal Sounds compilation a few years back. Don’t miss it if you’re open-minded and like a leftfield approach to your music.
Art Ensemble Of Chicago
Les Stances A Sophie OST
Label : Nessa # N-4
Recordered: 1970
Genre: Soundtrack, Jazz-funk, Free Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz

Tracks

1. Theme de Yo-Yo – 9:10
2. Theme de Celine – 3:04
3. Variations Sur un Theme de Monteverdi I – 3:02
4. Variations Sur un Theme de Monteverdi II – 1:50
5. Proverbes I – 2:38
6. Theme Amour Universal – 3:51
7. Theme Libre – 8:49
8. Proverbes II – 1:22

Group members
Lester Bowie – Percussion, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Joseph Jarman – Flute, Percussion, Saxophone, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Roscoe Mitchell – Clarinet, Flute, Percussion, Clarinet (Bass), Saxophone, Sax (Alto), Sax (Bass), Sax (Soprano)
Malachi Favors – Bass, Percussion, Bass (Electric), Bass (Acoustic)
Fontella Bass – Piano, Tambourine, Vocals
Famoudou Don Moye – Drums

And as a little blaxy bonus – MusicDawn has added a couple of episodes from the movie, plus an interview with Joseph Jarman.


A huge thanx to MusicDawn for this great piece of Blaxploitation history!

I actually had the fortune of meeting Mr. Lester Bowie way back in '95, before his passing, for a brief interview when they were playing my hometown in the north of Sweden. They were as fun to watch as they are interesting to listen to.
/Funkback

Link to movie review
Moshe Mizrahi - Les Stances A Sophie (1970)