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- CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE
WEEK
- The Stark Reality "Acting, Thinking, Feeling" rec. 1968-1970 (USA)
For
the first time ever, I'm inducting a classic album that is not only
something I just purchased last week, but it has only been released in
the past few months. This box set is a reissue of the complete
works of The Stark Reality (on 6 extra-thick-n-juicy LPs or 3 CDs): an
absolutely amazing, forgotten, pioneering electric jazz-funk-acidrock
fusion band! The group first came to my attention in 2003 when the
hip-hop label Stones Throw (Madlib, MF Doom, etc.) released Now, a compilation of tracks from their sole 1970 album
plus a few previously unreleased nuggets. My ears fell in love from the
first note! A decade later, the heroes at Stones Throw have collected
everything the group ever recorded: reissuing their album in its
entirety (recorded as a quartet), plus their 1969 demo tape (as a
quintet) and 1968-69 "big band" sessions from WGBH (Boston's PBS
station) where the group first came together to record a TV show theme.
Sadly, the group's leader Monty Stark (vocals and electrified
vibraphone) did not live to see this reissue, but it is a massive
tribute to a truly great, original and unique UNSUNG talent. The rest
of the band - John Abercrombie (a famous jazz fusion guitarist later in
the 70's), Phil Morrison (an astoundingly UNSUNG genius bassist, and
Monty's main man who is the only other member to play on every track)
and Vinnie Johnson (the funky drummer, also deceased) - are also quite
amazing.
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