Art Ensemble Of Chicago Les Stances A Sophie

As the legendary Art Ensemble of Chicago celebrates its 50th anniversary, Soul Jazz Records are releasing a new fully re-mastered edition of the group’s seminal album ‘Les Stances à Sophie’ (1970), which features the great singer Fontella Bass on the opening track ‘Theme de Yoyo’, a stunning 9-min opus that continues to startle and compel new audiences today.

Drawing upon the mutual soul and funk background of Bass and her then husband Lester Bowie with all the power of the Art Ensemble of Chicago’s collective musicianship on board, ‘Theme de Yoyo’ is powerfully funky, soulful and free at the same time, a classic fusion of black music styles.

The Art Ensemble of Chicago, are one of the most important and radical jazz groups to come out of the USA. ‘Les Stances a Sophie’ was recorded in Paris in 1970 and features the regular Art Ensemble members (Lester Bowie, Joseph Jarman, Roscoe Mitchell and Malachi Flavors) alongside newly recruited drummer Don Moye and guest Fontella Bass on vocals and piano.

Fontella Bass already had a successful career as a soul singer - ‘Rescue Me’ was her biggest hit in the sixties. She and Lester Bowie first met in St Louis while working with legendary rhythm and blues producer Oliver Sain. Vocals (and lyrics), alongside a constant drum and bass beat, were new elements to the music of the Art Ensemble at this time.

Musicians such as Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane, spearheaded the free jazz movement at the start of the 1960s. Far from simply defining a musical concept, they also began to redefine the concept of the African-American musician in society. A new period of self-respect and spirituality among musicians paralleled the Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King and Malcolm X - encouraging self-determination and empowerment in every African-American musician.

Soul Jazz Records first released the album in 2000. Now ten years out of print, they are releasing it once more in this new fully re-mastered edition.

The Art Ensemble of Chicago’s musical soundtrack ‘Les Stances A Sophie’ remains perhaps the definitive release from this period, a stunning exploration of radical jazz music, and with with the rare addition of vocalist Fontella Bass on ‘Theme De Yoyo’ an unashamedly powerful celebration of Great Black Music - ancient to the future.