A lost early chapter in the career
of Roberta F
lack – material recorded during the sessions for her legendary First Take album, but unissued at the time – and presented here with an amazing demonstration
of the depth
of her young talents! All the genius
of First Take is in place here – that groundbreaking territory between jazz and soul that set Roberta apart from the pack, right from the start – but there's also a wider range
of currents going on – maybe some more jazz-based numbers, mixed with other soul-referenced titles too – a wider span that furthers the role that F
lack plays as a bridge between the 60s innovations
of Nina Simone and a host
of others to follow. The group is just a trio – F
lack on piano with Marshall Hawkins on bass and Bernard Sweetney on drums – but the tunes have a very wide-open vibe that's very visionary, and every bit as great as Roberta's debut! Titles include a stunning version
of "
Afro Blue", plus "It's Way Past Suppertime", "This Could Be The Start
Of Something", "Groove Me", "To Sir With Love", "The Song Is Love", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out", "The House Song", and "Hush A Bye".
(First-ever vinyl release – 180 gram pressing!)