”Les Stances a Sophie” by Art Ensemble of Chicago on Pathé Marconi C 062-11365

So much more than just a soundtrack. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Superb soundtrack to a French film from 1970 directed by Moshé Mizrahi. Recorded in Paris two weeks before the groups French visas expired. The Art Ensemble of Chicago consists of Lester Bowie in trumpet/percussion, Joseph Jarman on sax/clarinet/percussion, Malachi Favors on double bass/percussion, Roscoe Mitchell on sax/clarinet/flute/percussion, Don Moye on drums/percussion and Fontella Bass on vocals/piano. The first tune is a smoking, driving R&B number with Bass on vocals. She rips it to shreds. It’s funky, propulsive, free, hot, sweet and sticky all at the same time. The rest of the program is very varied. Cinematic stuff, exotic themes and percussion, beautifully calm numbers that are contemplative in nature, avant-garde/free excursions and bluesy infusions as well.Love the…