The Pharaohs - In The Basement (1972)
Label:
Luv N' Haight
Catalog#:
LHCD026
Format:
CD, Album
Country:
US
Released:
Nov 1996
Genre:
Funk / Soul, Jazz
Style:
Tracklist
1 In The Basement 10:40
2 People Make The World Go 'Round 11:06
3 African Roots 7:20
4 Tha Pharaohs Love Y'all 5:05
5 Drum Suite 10:46
6 Love And Happiness 3:02
Credits
Artwork By [True Artist, Creator Of The Pharaohs Logo] - Berry Horton
Bass, Cowbell, Vocals, Mixed By - Ealee Satterfield*
Drums [African], Cowbell, Congas, Tambourine - Oye Bisi (Nalls)*
Drums [African], Percussion [Tumba], Gong, Vocals - Shango Njoko Adefumi*
Drums [Quinto], Congas - Kewu Oya (Gogins)*
Drums [Trap] - Derrick Morris (2)
Guitar - Warren Bingham
Lead Vocals - Sulanya (Sue Conway)*
Producer - E. Rodney Jones , Hillery Johnson , Pharaohs, The (2)
Saxophone [Alto, Tenor, Baritone], Flute, Cowbell - Don "Hippmo" (Myrick)*
Trombone, Bassoon, Vocals, Horns [Baritone], Flute [Indian Snake Charmers] - (Big) Willie Woods*
Trumpet - Rahm Lee (Davis)*
Notes
1, 2, 3, 5 were recorded live at High Chaparral, Chicago
4 was found on the original master tapes for "THE AWAKENING" album
6 taken from Scarab Records 45rpm / B side: "Freedom Road"
5 - Derf Reklaw Raheem and Black Herman does not appear in this version of "Drum Suite". While still an incredible find, The Pharaohs would like you to know that this was just a dry run with the tape rolling. We have chosen to include it here for documentary purposes only.
(p)(c)1997 Ubiquity Records
The Pharaohs only managed one release during their short lifetime, 1971's masterful Awakening. But when the San Francisco-based jazz-funk reissue label Luv N Haight reissued Awakening in 1996, they also came out with a brand-new CD of mostly previously unreleased material called In the Basement. Most of this album was recorded live in 1972, after the already enormous 11-piece band had grown to include four more players, including a sixth drummer. The live tracks are fascinating, because where Awakening sounds like an earthier and more Afrocentric version of Earth, Wind & Fire (which several members of the Pharaohs would go on to found in 1973), the much loopier and more jazz-oriented tracks here sound more like Sun Ra jamming with the P-Funk All Stars. The 11-minute take on the Stylistics' "People Make the World Go Round" is absolutely indescribable, a mix of otherworldly horns and psychedelic guitars over a non-stop African-style groove. Other highlights include the all-rhythm "Drum Suite," a hypnotic blend of organic polyrhythms and chanting, and a stunning cover of Al Green's "Love and Happiness" that's the only studio track here. Not quite as wonderful as Awakening, In the Basement nonetheless makes one wish that the Pharaohs had lasted longer, just to see what would have happened next.
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