Phil Ranelin Vinyl, CD & Tape 7 Items

The final release from Tribe! Released in 1976, shortly before Phil Ranelin’s departure to Los Angeles, Vibes from The Tribe is a spiritual jazz / rare groove classic!

By 1976, Tribe had grown to be something much different than what it had started out as. A popular magazine and releases from a cadre of the most promising musicians Detroit had to offer had allowed the collective the space and finances needed to develop, and by the time of their final release, they had changed both in shape and scope. Yet their philosophy of “getting out the message” remained the same.

Since the early days of the Tribe, the influence of funk and popular music had been more evident in Ranelin’s music than that of his partner, Wendell Harrison. Even on Message From The Tribe’s first edition, Ranelin’s love for funk was clear, with songs such as “What We Need” featuring a mellow groove and horn lines that would sound at home on any Motown record. Phil Ranelin’s second album as a leader, Vibes From The Tribe sees those funk influences on full display. Opening track “Vibes From The Tribe (Prelude)” has the kind of steady snare beat that hip-hop producers would later kill for, and a bassline so groovy that you won’t be able to stop yourself from nodding along.

For The Children is breezy bossa nova of the finest degree. Ranelin’s voice is subdued and relaxed, probably taking more notes from Joao Gilberto than any of the poetry readings on Message From The Tribe. But when he begins his trombone solo, the edges of his more avant-garde past start to peek through. Lines that would sound right at home on any post-bop album are a-plenty, and as a sunny riff closes out the album, it seems like the perfect soundtrack for a warm summer night.

But the heart of the album lies in the closing track “He The One We All Knew (Parts 1 & 2)”. Here, Ranelin’s smorgasbord of influences seem to come together, creating an 18 minute long track that combines elements of Indian classical music, free jazz, funk, and more. The track begins with the gentle psychedelic sitar playing of Daud Abdul Kahafiz, creating a drone over which layers of percussion, piano, bass, and horns combine. Frequent collaborator and Tribe co-founder Wendell Harrison’s solo comes first, with the sparse arrangement giving him space to stretch out beyond the limits of conventional harmony or rhythm. It’s clear that these musicians were improvising in the truest sense of the word, and as they go from playing over ambient sitar, to what can only be described as “swing”, they never lose count or break rank. You can practically picture each of the musicians in the studio, deeply concentrated but supremely in tune with one another, communicating with nods and eye movement. Vibes From The Tribe takes everything that made the Tribe great: free jazz, funk, pop influences, and a tight-knit community and preserves it as one of the greatest spiritual jazz albums of all time.

With modern remastering and an obi-strip, this album has never looked or sounded this good! Make sure to get your copy while stock lasts!

After Motown left Detroit for Los Angeles in 1972, trombonist Phil Ranelin was largely left without work or direction, until he co-founded Tribe with Wendell Harrison later that same year. Two years after forming Tribe, Phil Ranelin would release his first album as a solo leader, The Time Is Now! The record contains all of the hallmarks of the best Tribe recordings: spiritual-leaning improvisations, soulful grooves, and appearances from Tribe regulars: Wendell Harrison, Marcus Belgrave, Reggie Fields, and more! The album opens with a 13 minute improvisation titled “The Time Is Now For Change”. As Ranelin , Belgrave, and Harrison exchange flurries of notes and squeaks over improvised chaos from the rhythm section, the group builds to a spiritual high that calls to mind the best Albert Ayler recordings. Bebop lines and unison phrases occasionally rise to the surface, offering a glimmer of familiarity in what is largely a harsh soundscape. Yet what sets Ranelin (and indeed, all of his Tribe contemporaries) apart from the larger free and spiritual jazz scene at the time is their sense of rhythm. Even as Harrison evokes sounds that would make a Meditations era Coltrane blush, the drums stay in time, and the looping bass and piano riffs take on an almost hypnotic quality, repeating quietly under a whirlwind of sound. Later tracks see the ensemble veer into soul jazz, and jazz-funk, with “Black Destiny” perfectly highlighting the group’s ability to meld the avant-garde with grooves that you won’t be able to stop yourself from tapping your foot to. Members of the Tribe were well known for their appreciation of African American popular music, and the influence of groups such as Sly And The Family Stone is clear in the song’s edgy rhythms and dense sound. This double LP reissue also contains alternate versions and outtakes that are so good you’ll be wondering why they were originally left out! With modern remastering, three bonus tracks, and an obi-strip, you don’t want to miss the definitive version of Phil Ranelin’s The Time Is Now!

"Vibes From The Tribe" is, along with "Message From The Tribe", one of the most iconic albums of the legendary spiritual jazz label Tribe. The alternate album contains different versions of all the tracks with the original album and P-vine is proud of releasing it on vinyl for the first time as double LP set!

Trombonist Phil Ranelin, who co-founded the legendary spiritual jazz label "Tribe" with Wendell Harrison, released "Vibes From The Tribe" in 1976 as the label's final release. It is known as one of the defining albums of "Tribe," along with the label's early release, "Message From The Tribe." Now, all of the alternate takes from the historical masterpiece will be released as a new album. The album is a double LP that includes multiple alternate versions of the album's most popular songs, such as the jazz-funk groove "Sounds From The Village," which features a brilliant horn ensemble, and a killer break beat tune"Vibes From The Tribe". This is the first time to be released on vinyl of the alternative album!

The Tribe co-founder’s debut, lacquered directly from his master tapes in an all analog transfer by Bernie Grundman. The definitive reissue of this Spiritual Jazz album which set the stage for his Vibes from the Tribe The Tribe label, one of the brightest lights of America’s 1970s jazz underground, receives the Now-Again reissue treatment. This is your chance to indulge in the music and story of one of the most meaningful, local movements of the 20th Century Black American experience, one that expanded outwards towards the cosmos. In the words of the collective themselves, “Music is the healing force of the universe.” Included in an extensive, oversized booklet, Larry Gabriel and Jeff “Chairman” Mao take us through the history of the Tribe, in a compelling story that delves not just into the history of the label and its principals, but into the story of Black American empowerment in the latter half of the 20th Century. The booklet features never-before-seen archival photos and rare ephemera from Tribe’s mid-1970s heyday.

Renowned trombonist and co-founder of Detroit's famed Tribe Records, Phil Ranelin, is back with his first album in a decade. A master trombonist of the J.J. Johnson tradition, Ranelin's career has spanned over five decades with ten records as a solo artist, four as a Freddie Hubbard sideman, session recordings for Motown, and work with artists ranging from Stevie Wonder and Ella Fitzgerald to Red Hot Chili Peppers and Telefon Tel Aviv. At 82 years old, Ranelin proves that he still has much to offer with "Infinite Expressions", a work that showcases his unique style both as a player and composer.

Phil Ranelin was a session trombonist recording with the likes of Steve Wonder before setting up the Tribe label with Wendell Harrison in Detroit.
Like other contemporary artist run labels like Strata East and Black Jazz, Tribe releases were characterised by a heady mix of post Coltrane free jazz, soul and funk, all informed by a strong political conscience.
"Vibes From the Tribe" is a fine record. The title track is lusciously, greasily funky and stands in pretty stark contrast to the kind of airbrushed fusion that was in vogue at the time. "Sounds From The Village" is even better (and dirtier), showcasing Ranelin's oily trombone gymnastics and a viciously fuzzed guitar solo. "Wife" features Phil's singing and is oddly reminiscent of Frank Zappa's writing on "Sleep Dirt"; an affecting, snaking melody topped off with a beautiful solo from the leader, whose playing here has the grace of Bob Brookmeyer coupled with the agility of George Lewis.
"He The One We All Knew" is the obligatory Coltrane tribute and is a trip into the kind of groove based free playing typical of Pharoah Sanders, though only really picks up when the band launch into post bop swing mode in the last six minutes or so, provoking another fine Ranelin solo. Bassist Ralph Armstrong is particularly strong here; his brief solo passages are a wonder of agility and tough lyricism that make me wonder why he's not better known. Other highlights come from the mellifluous flute of Wendell Harrison. Beautiful stuff, and it's good to know that Ranelin is still at work even now. Essential.

Vibes From THE Tribe IS NOW Avaiable IN A Limited Edition Aqua Colored Vinyl Pressing The Tribe co-founder’s masterpiece, lacquered directly from his master tapes in an all analog transfer by Bernie Grundman. The de nitive reissue of this Spiritual Jazz album, one of the most sought after artifacts of the 1970s jazz underground. The Tribe label, one of the brightest lights of America’s 1970s jazz underground, receives the Now-Again reissue treatment. This is your chance to indulge in the music and story of one of the most meaningful, local movements of the 20th Century Black American experience, one that expanded outwards towards the cosmos. In the words of the collective themselves, “Music is the healing force of the universe.” Included in an extensive, oversized booklet, Larry Gabriel and Jeff “Chairman” Mao take us through the history of the Tribe, in a compelling story that delves not just into the history of the label and its principals, but into the story of Black American empowerment in the latter half of the 20th Century. The booklet features never-before-seen archival photos and rare ephemera from Tribe’s mid-1970s heyday.