P-Vine Organic Grooves 259 Items

The final release from Tribe! Released in 1976, shortly before Phil Ranelin’s departure to Los Angeles, Vibes from The Tribe is a spiritual jazz / rare groove classic!

By 1976, Tribe had grown to be something much different than what it had started out as. A popular magazine and releases from a cadre of the most promising musicians Detroit had to offer had allowed the collective the space and finances needed to develop, and by the time of their final release, they had changed both in shape and scope. Yet their philosophy of “getting out the message” remained the same.

Since the early days of the Tribe, the influence of funk and popular music had been more evident in Ranelin’s music than that of his partner, Wendell Harrison. Even on Message From The Tribe’s first edition, Ranelin’s love for funk was clear, with songs such as “What We Need” featuring a mellow groove and horn lines that would sound at home on any Motown record. Phil Ranelin’s second album as a leader, Vibes From The Tribe sees those funk influences on full display. Opening track “Vibes From The Tribe (Prelude)” has the kind of steady snare beat that hip-hop producers would later kill for, and a bassline so groovy that you won’t be able to stop yourself from nodding along.

For The Children is breezy bossa nova of the finest degree. Ranelin’s voice is subdued and relaxed, probably taking more notes from Joao Gilberto than any of the poetry readings on Message From The Tribe. But when he begins his trombone solo, the edges of his more avant-garde past start to peek through. Lines that would sound right at home on any post-bop album are a-plenty, and as a sunny riff closes out the album, it seems like the perfect soundtrack for a warm summer night.

But the heart of the album lies in the closing track “He The One We All Knew (Parts 1 & 2)”. Here, Ranelin’s smorgasbord of influences seem to come together, creating an 18 minute long track that combines elements of Indian classical music, free jazz, funk, and more. The track begins with the gentle psychedelic sitar playing of Daud Abdul Kahafiz, creating a drone over which layers of percussion, piano, bass, and horns combine. Frequent collaborator and Tribe co-founder Wendell Harrison’s solo comes first, with the sparse arrangement giving him space to stretch out beyond the limits of conventional harmony or rhythm. It’s clear that these musicians were improvising in the truest sense of the word, and as they go from playing over ambient sitar, to what can only be described as “swing”, they never lose count or break rank. You can practically picture each of the musicians in the studio, deeply concentrated but supremely in tune with one another, communicating with nods and eye movement. Vibes From The Tribe takes everything that made the Tribe great: free jazz, funk, pop influences, and a tight-knit community and preserves it as one of the greatest spiritual jazz albums of all time.

With modern remastering and an obi-strip, this album has never looked or sounded this good! Make sure to get your copy while stock lasts!

Tribe co-founder and saxophone legend Wendell Harrison’s 1973 leader debut!

Following the 1972 release of Message From The Tribe, the second release from vaunted spiritual jazz label Tribe, was co-founder Wendell Harrison’s solo debut, An Evening With The Devil. Originally included on the A-side of Message From The Tribe’s first version (the edition featuring a photo of a quay on the cover), the release of An Evening With The Devil in 1973 saw the suite fully realized, with two additional songs and studio knowhow making the album a true spiritual jazz masterpiece. Opener “Mary Had An Abortion” is part-spoken word poetry and part-free jazz freak out, but as Harrison’s gravelly baritone intermingles with atonal piano lines, it transcends the limitations of both. “Consciousness” is in a similar vein, with cymbal crashes and drum fills serving as a backdrop for a poem with references to police brutality and racism that seem as relevant now as they were 50 years ago.

“Angry Young Men”, originally recorded on Message From The Tribe, is now split into two parts and placed at the end of the A-side and opening of the B-side, physically and musically bridging the original suite with the new compositions. A horn line that could only be described as angry descends over an aggressive drum pattern, and as Tribe regulars Marcus Belgrave, Phil Ranelin, Charles Moore, and William Austin take turns soloing, the rhythm section seems to get more aggressive, undulating under these solos that take the song’s message and express it through simple notes. But it’s Harrison’s extended solo on the B-side that truly makes the song. He starts out almost subdued, playing fairly standard hard-bop lines over minimal accompaniment. But he quickly picks up, letting his horn honk and screech, with flurries of notes that almost sound like screams. The rhythm section matches him, building and building until Harrison plays the head once more - finally allowing the band to return to normalcy.

In comparison, album closer “Rebirth” is almost calm, with Marcus Belgrave playing a somber melody over a bed of rumbling percussion. It practically sounds like a requiem, until five major chords are struck by the band, ending the album on a literal joyous note. If Harrison hoped to express death and rebirth with this final song, the juxtaposition of the two completely disparate sections does a perfect job.

The hallmarks of a Tribe album are all over An Evening With The Devil. It’s spiritual and technical, and words simply don’t do it justice (despite my best attempts). Yet it also stands out among the Tribe releases by being one of the first. The DIY aesthetic and iconic design language are all there, but when presented with a sound that could only be described as raw, these early recording techniques are just right. The only way to truly experience the album is to put the needle to the groove, and let the music of Wendell Harrison wash over you. P-vine is proud to be reissuing Wendell Harrison’s An Evening With The Devil with modern remastering and an obi-strip on limited edition black vinyl.

Originally released in 1981, the second release from Wendell Harrison’s Wenha label (following Dreams of A Love Supreme), Organic Dream is one of the finest records to come out of Detroit’s DIY jazz scene in the 80’s. Album opener “Ginseng Love” is as smooth as butter, with warm analog synth strings and a gentle groove, over which Harrison plays saxophone, clarinet, and flute. His playing is as energetic as ever, with his free jazz tendencies tempered by mellow R&B influenced phrases. This is followed by “Winter”, a ballad that sees Harrison on clarinet playing with acoustic backing, showing off a softer side of Harrison’s playing that rarely gets the attention it deserves. However, things quickly pick up with “Love Juice”, a disco-boogie number perfect for any dance party. Staccato guitar rhythms, and a bouncing bassline combine to create a groove so perfect you’ll be nodding your head even just thinking about it. Harrison’s playing is louder and freer, with lines clearly inspired by the great R&B and pop saxophonists of the 80’s. “The Wok”, highly regarded by many as one of Harrison’s best compositions, is a mellow funk track, and despite its brevity, contains some of the deepest grooves in Harrison’s 80’s discography. As the name would suggest, oriental sounds are incorporated with funk grooves to create a sound that defies immediate characterization, but is fantastic nonetheless. With modern remastering and an obi-strip this album has never looked or sounded this good! Don’t miss Wendell Harrison’s Organic Dream, from P-vine Records!

Recent years have seen a resurgence in popularity for Japanese jazz fusion, with YouTube videos and Spotify streams attracting millions of listeners. An essential, if underrated, part of that scene was Jun Miyake, whose debut album, June Night Love (1983) featured some of Japan’s most talented jazz musicians playing some of the finest jazz fusion of the 80s. Jun Miyake’s second album, Especially Sexy (1984), is a continuation of what he started with June Night Love. It opens with “June Night Love” (oddly enough, the song was not featured on the album of the same name), a glitzy fusion track, in which Miyake’s mellow flugelhorn playing soars over mellow strings and vocal harmonies. Miyake’s trumpet gives way to the unmistakable saxophone of David Sanborn, whose style of playing practically defined an era! But Sanborn is hardly the only noticeable guest on the album. “Twist to Open”, features the one and only Michael Brecker, playing with the ferocity and technical prowess of a man who would inspire a generation of saxophonists. All the hallmarks of great fusion are immediately apparent, with slap bass, horn choruses, and twinkly synths aplenty. B-side opener “jfk Express” sees another solo from Brecker, who trades choruses with Miyake over a smooth synthesizer groove. Miyake’s playing is decidedly different from Randy Brecker’s, yet there’s no doubt that Miyake and Michael have a chemistry that’s hard to beat. Fans of Miyake’s softer side will find plenty to love on the album as well, with album closer “Becoming To You” once again showing off Miyake’s sensitive flugelhorn playing. He’s backed by an all-star rhythm section of Roland Hanna (pf.), Al Foster (ds.), and Ron Carter (b.), whose smooth acoustic jazz is in sharp contrast to the electrifying fusion that prefaced it. Yet Miyake’s playing remains consistent throughout, and with support from some of the biggest names in jazz across all eight tracks, there’s no doubt that all fans of jazz will find something to love on this album. Reissued for the first time ever, we’ve replicated the original liner notes and booklet to get as close to the original as possible. Make sure you don’t miss this fantastic record, available only from P-vine Records!

Japan has a proud tradition of hiring prominent Western talent to promote relatively mundane products in absurd TV commercials. Whether it’s Tommy Lee Jones starring as an alien in canned coffee commercials, or Arnold Schwartzenegger promoting instant ramen while wearing a kimono, the Japanese commercial featuring Western actors has become well-known through video sharing services and films such as Lost In Translation (2003). One of the first, and lesser known commercials featured Andy Warhol advertising video tapes. “Aka, midori, ao, gunjoiro, kudei” he says, while holding a TV. Yet it stands out from other bizarre commercials for its soundtrack - a jazz fusion number with some of the finest trumpet playing to ever grace the silver screen. The 15-second version of the commercial reveals who’s behind it - the one and only Jun Miyake. Released in 1982 (only one year after Casiopea’s legendary Mint Jams), June Night Love by Jun Miyake (tp.) is one of the most underrated fusion albums to come out of Japan. With some of the most talented musicians in Japan’s jazz scene featured prominently, the album is filled with some of the tightest, most energetic grooves this side of the Pacific. Freshly back from New York City, Miyake and saxophonist Yasuaki Shimizu’s playing on songs such as “I Knew I Was” (featured in the Warhol commercial) is firmly in the style of the Brecker Brothers, with elaborate lines played at finger-blurring speed. Yet fans of old school jazz need not worry. “You Would Smile So” is an acoustic ballad dedicated to Terumasa Hino, one of the leading trumpeters in Japan’s jazz scene at the time, and one of Miyake’s first teachers. Miyake’s tone, practically explosive on other tracks, is smoky, taking on a Chet Baker-like quality over piano fills, a subdued upright bass, and gentle brushes on the drums. Jun Miyake is a musician whose many aspects have made him something of a legend in his native Japan. His collaborators range from Dave Liebman to Ichiko Aoba, and as his unique brand of third wave jazz continues to find fans across the world, his debut album, June Night Love, is an absolutely essential part of the Jun Miyake legend. P-vine is proud to be reissuing June Night Love for the first time ever, faithfully recreating it to be as close to the original as possible!

Everything from mellow soul numbers, to synth-heavy 80s disco boogie, Cruisin’ has it!

Originally released from Wenha in 1981, the debut album from Detroit soul singer William Odell Hughes is funky, soulful, and has all the best characteristics of an 80s album. Album opener and title track “Cruisin’” is electrifying disco boogie - a tune that’ll make even the shyest of clubgoers want to get up and dance. In comparison, tracks like “Where Am I” are mellow, with Wendell Harrison’s instantly recognizable flute playing and synth pads giving the track a warm, relaxed groove.But throughout it all, the influence of Wendell Harrison can still be heard, not only in his excellent performances, but also through his role as a co-writer. References to universal awareness are plentiful throughout, and despite the album’s mellow sound, the spirituality of The Tribe remains a constant undertone; a gentle reminder of Wenha’s roots. With a sound like this, it’s no wonder that this album has long been considered a grail for crate diggers around the world. Reissued for the first time ever, now with an obi-strip, this album has never looked or sounded this good!

Since the 1970s, Reggie Fields (A.K.A. The Real ShooBeeDoo) had been making a name for himself as one of the finest bass players in Detroit. Playing on early Tribe recordings, as well as as a member of Sun Ra’s Arkestra, his distinct, funky, yet harmonically complex approach to bass playing was making waves in the Motor City. His first album as a leader (and his first under the ShooBeeDoo moniker), Reawakening, sees his iconic bass playing take center stage, with each track highlighting his immense talent. The title track, “Reawakening” opens with an upright bass solo, and despite his technical prowess, it’s clear that each note is meaningful; simply a part of the larger plan. Even when he’s playing a supporting role, it’s clear that Field’s bass playing is driving the music forward like an unrelenting force of rhythm. Reawakening also sees Wendell Harrison make an appearance, his impassioned saxophone improvisations on the A-side of the record adding an element of spirituality to the record that seems to tie together all Tribe related records. Reissued for the first time ever with an OBI-strip, this hidden gem of the Tribe catalog is one you must not miss!