Shamek Farrah First Impressions

High Quality 180g Vinyl LP!
Re-mastered by Ray Staff at Air Mastering!
Although the label hadn't been on the market for long, Strata East's releases achieved the same kind of recognition as Impulse! or Blue Note. In other words, you knew what you were getting when you bought a record from that label, even if you didn't know the name on the cover. This disc was no exception: who should Shamek Farrah be? Who knows? Who cares?
The music was important. This was the already familiar, spiritually intense new jazz that was now expected from this label, imbued with Eastern influences, but always with an ear to the street. Musicians took their role as leaders very seriously at the time. This very mature performance of a group of serious men is no exception. But what could otherwise be an average, negligible recording is ripped out by the driving bass of Milton Suggs.
Fans of this sound or label can't recommend this record warm enough.
Saxophonist Shamek Farrah is joined here by Milton Suggs, Calvert Satter-White, Ron Warwell, Kenny Harper, Sonelius Smith, Norman Person.
"For a label that wasn't around long, Strata East achieved the same sort of label recognition that Impulse! or Blue Note managed to build. In other words, you knew what you were getting when you bought a record on the label, even if you didn't know the names on the outside of the cover. This is no exception. Who is Shamek Farrah? Who knows? Who cares? It's the music that's important. This is the standard spiritually intense new jazz one learns to expect from the label, soaked in some Eastern influences but always with its ear to the street. Musicians took their roles as leaders and spokesmen very seriously back then. This very adult statement from a group of very serious men is no exception. However, what might be an average, forgettable session is rescued by the propulsive engine of Milton Suggs' bass. He adds the fire and the drive that keeps things interesting and prevents the music from wandering into a circular spiritual morass. For fans of the sound or the label, this can be heartily recommended." - Rob Ferrier /AMG

Features:

• High quality 180g Vinyl LP
• Re-mastered by Ray Staff at Air Mastering
• Made in the UK

Musicians:

• Shamek Farrah, alto saxophone
• Norman Person, trumpet
• Kasa Mu-Barak Allah, piano (Side One)
• Milton Suggs, bass
• Clay Herdon, drums (Side One)
• Sonelius Smith, piano (Side Two)Ron Warwell, drums (Side Two)
• Calvert "Bo" Satterwhite, conga (Side Two)
• Kenny Harper, percussion (Side Two)

Selections:

Side A
1. Meterologicly Tuned
2. Watch What Happens Now
Side B
1. Umoja Suite
2. First Impressions