Afro-Harping is an album by jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby recorded in 1968 and released on the Cadet label.[2]
| Afro-Harping | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1968 | |||
| Recorded | February 1968 Ter Mar Studios, Chicago | |||
| Genre | Jazz-funk[1] | |||
| Length | 35:56 | |||
| Label | Cadet LPS-809 | |||
| Producer | Richard Evans | |||
| Dorothy Ashby chronology | ||||
| ||||
Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [3] |
| Mojo | [4] |
Ron Wynn, in his review for Allmusic, calls the album "the best and most complete album done by jazz harpist (a rare style) Dorothy Ashby... She turned the harp into a lead instrument, and offered solos that were as tough and memorable as those done by any reed, brass, or percussion player.[3]
A reviewer of Dusty Groove mentioned "One of the grooviest records ever – a sublime blend of African percussion, soulful orchestrations, and Dorothy Ashby's amazing electric harp! By the time of this landmark album, Dorothy had been knocking around the jazz world for a number of years, but it wasn't until she hooked up with Richard Evans at Cadet Records that her sound really began to cook – breaking down genres and expectations in the trademark style of the best late 60s sides from the Chicago underground. The record's got a bit of funk, a bit of jazz, and a heck of a lot of soul – and the setting works perfectly for Dorothy's harp, giving it a lot more room to work around than some of her smaller jazz combo albums".[5]
Track listing
editAll compositions by Dorothy Ashby except as indicated
- "Soul Vibrations" (Richard Evans) - 3:22
- "Games" - 3:57
- "Action Line" - 3:43
- "Lonely Girl" (Redd Evans, Neal Hefti, Jay Livingston) - 3:15
- "Life Has Its Trials" - 4:31
- "Afro-Harping" (Dorothy Ashby, Phil Upchurch) - 3:01
- "Little Sunflower" (Freddie Hubbard) - 3:47
- "Valley of the Dolls" (André Previn, Dory Previn) - 3:35
- "Come Live With Me" (Russ Carlyle, Mike Caranda, Ivan Washabaugh) - 2:39
- "The Look of Love" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) - 4:06
Personnel
edit- Dorothy Ashby - harp
- Unidentified orchestra arranged and conducted by Richard Evans
References
edit- ^ Gorton, TJ (July 30, 2018). "BeatCaffeine's 100 Best Jazz-Funk Songs". BeatCaffeine. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ Cadet Album Discography (1965-1971) accessed May 13, 2013
- ^ a b Wynn, R. Allmusic Review accessed May 13, 2013
- ^ Andrew, Male (October 2024). "Dorothy Ashby: Afro-Harping". Mojo. No. 371. p. 97.
- ^ "Afro-Harping". Dusty Groove. Retrieved 17 June 2018.