The Descendants Of Mike And Phoebe: A Spirit Speaks (180g) Vinyl LP
$34.95
<p><i>Mack Avenue return with their latest batch of gorgeously-packaged editions of some of the more overlooked entries</i> in <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?type=product&q=Strata+East" target="_blank">Strata East</a>’s rich catalogue. <em>The Descendants Of Mike And Phoebe</em> (named for two actual South Carolinian slaves from which four of the six members are descended) released this lone album in 1974. Most of the tracks are led by <strong>Grace Lee Mims</strong>’ heavenly soprano, lending an overtly political (“Attica”) and spiritual (the title track) tone to an already heavy album anchored by the soulful modal stylings of bassist <strong>Bill Lee</strong> (<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?type=product&q=Spike+Lee" target="_blank"><strong>Spike Lee</strong></a>’s dad!!) and pianist <strong>Consuela Lee Moorehead</strong>. We keep going back to three instrumental pieces following the intro suite: <strong>Bill Lee</strong>’s bass on “Coltrane” is just about as deep as it gets; a solid tribute to the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?type=product&q=john+coltrane" target="_blank">late great sax titan</a> and right up there with <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?type=product&q=alice+coltrane" target="_blank"><strong>Alice</strong></a>’s “<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?type=product&q=journey+in+satchidananda+something+about+john+coltrane" target="_blank">Something About John Coltrane</a>.” “Chick <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?type=product&q=chick+corea" target="_blank">Chick</a>” and “Well Done, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.turntablelab.com/search?type=product&q=weldon+irvine" target="_blank">Weldon</a>” (more tributes to jazz greats?) are on the level with the finest uptempo modal jazz on the label. Recommended.</p> <ul> <li>180g black vinyl pressing</li> <li>remastered from the original analog tapes</li> <li>housed in tip-on gatefold jacket w/ new liner notes</li> <li>includes printed insert</li> <li>original release year: 1974</li> <li>music label: Strata-East Records 2025</li> </ul> <h6>reviewed by nick nightingale 12/2017</h6>