The United States Of Mind, Phase 1, 2 & 3 (1972)

"This double CD represents pianist and composer Horace Silver's sprawling trilogy of thematically linked albums recorded between 1970 and '72. There was nothing in his catalog that prepared listeners for this adventurous undertaking that linked spiritual concepts and social consciousness to modern jazz as it encountered soul, funk, and pop at the dawn of a new decade. There are vocals by Andy or Salome Bey and Gail Nelson, Jackie Verdell, either individually or collectively. Silver is using an electric piano; electric bass and electric guitar are heard. The tunes are all tight, beautifully arranged and expertly played; like pop made by a jazz band. And what a jazz band: Mickey Roker or Idris Muhammad on drums, saxophonists Houston Person, George Coleman, Harold Vick, bassists Bob Cranshaw or Jimmy Lewis, and trumpeters Cecil Bridgewater and Randy Brecker et all! The quality and vision of the music is unquestionable." (Thom Jurek, Allmusic; klik op link voor uitgebreide complete tekst)

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