WENDELL HARRISON Vinyl & CDs

Review: An Evening With The Devil is regarded as one of the Tribe Records label's finest ever releases - an unrestrained free jazz expression from Wendell Harrison that is packed with forward-thinking grooves. The Detroit reedman was always in a class of one and he showed it here with a record so heavy it was way ahead of its time. Now though it's regarded as a classic with trumpet from Marcus Belgrave, Charles Eubanks on keyboards, Ike Daney on drums, and Will Austin on bass. There are also some spoken word passages from the Black Messengers making this a jewel of the jazz underground.

Review: Detroit-born jazz musician Wendell Harrison did a lot of seminal work with the likes of Phil Ranelin and Tribe in the early part of his career, but he's also slipped out some seriously funky wares like this rare joint originally from 1982 on Wenha Records. Athens Of The North are champions of such records, picking them up, showing them some love and getting them out to a fresh audience, and so it goes on this killer 7", which flips the A and the B so Harrison's version of Stevie Wonder's 'Rocket Love' gets up front in all its groovesome glory.

Review: "A New Dimension In Cultural Awareness" were the words of Tribe Records' co-founder and trombonist Phil Ranelin as the label emerged in a vibrant Detroit in 1972. Together with other co-founder and saxophonist Wendell Harrison, the duo delivered the first of what would become a treasure trove of spiritual jazz releases with 1973's Message From the Tribe. P-vine has lifted its first track"What We Need" for the a-side with the b-side "The Wok" taken from Harrison's 1981 album Organic Dream.

Review: Tribe 2000 is a powerful celebration of Phil Ranelin's prolific career, featuring the Tribe Records founders, Ranelin on trombone and Wendell Harrison on saxophone. Recorded in 2000, this album brings together the core of the influential Detroit label, as Harrison sought to reconnect with Ranelin while incorporating a talented ensemble of seasoned musicians to enrich the arrangements. Four of the five compositions are penned by Ranelin, showcasing the innovative spirit that characterised Tribe. Wendell Harrison, known for his self-directed approach to music, co-founded the legendary Tribe label in the 1970s and established Rebirth Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to jazz performance and education. His collaborations with notable artists like pianist Geri Allen and saxophonist James Carter underscore his significant impact on the jazz community. Born in Indianapolis, Ranelin's early influences shaped his journey through Detroit's jazz scene before he moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to thrive alongside luminaries like Freddie Hubbard. Together, Ranelin and Harrison's Tribe 2000 exemplifies their enduring legacy in jazz music.