Wednesday, May 14, 2008

John Betsch Society - "Earth Blossom" (1974)




This is another great Strata-East spiritual jazz record that I originally uploaded to the "wants list" at the former El Reza blog. I love this album, it's kinda "free modal" if I'm allowed to put things like that .... But i'm tired, so Dr Wiki says :

"John Betsch (b. October 9, 1945, Jacksonville, Florida) is an American free jazz drummer. Betsch began on percussion at age nine, and attended Fisk University, Berklee College of Music and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. After playing in organ trios, he released an album as a leader, Earth Blossom, in 1975. That year he moved to New York City, where he played with Marion Brown, Paul Jeffrey, Max Roach, Jeanne Lee and Henry Threadgill. Between 1977 and 1979 he joined Abdullah Ibrahim's ensemble, and from 1980 to 1982 he was with Archie Shepp's quartet. Following this he was a member of quartets led by Marty Cook."

Dusty Groove do their exclamation marks thang :

" A beautiful session of spiritual soul jazz -- and one of the rarer albums on the legendary Strata East label! The obscure combo is led by drummer/percussionist John Betsch -- and instrumentation includes guitar, piano, electric piano, and reeds -- all used with plenty of warm touches, and a few sharp edges -- all very much in the best Strata East mode of the time! The tracks have a soaring sort of sound -- similar to some of the Keno Duke material on the label, but also touched with some trippier edges too -- a great blend that really brings a lot of depth to the session, and which has made this one of our favorite Strata sides over the years."

MUSICIANS

Bass - Ed "Lump" Williams
Congas, Percussion - Phil Royster
Drums, Percussion - John Betsch
Flute, Saxophone - Billy Puett
Guitar - Jim Bridges
Piano, Electric Piano, Percussion - Bob Holmes

PRODUCTION

Producer - John Betsch
Released 1974 on Strata-East Records, N.Y.
Catalogue SES-19748
Recorded January 11, 1974 at Glaser Productions, Inc. Nashville Tenn.

 TRACKLIST

01 'Ode to Ethiopia' (Holmes) - 4.32
02 'Earth Blossom' (Holmes) - 3.29
03 'Open Pastures' (Betsch, Holmes) - 4.30
04 'Song for an Untitled Lady' (Bridges) - 3.53
05 'Ra' (Puett) - 5.59
06 'Darling Doria' (Betsch) - 5.15
07 'Get up and Go' (Puett) - 6.41

Hope you enjoy this ...

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17 comments:

  1. HunterMay 15, 2008 at 5:51 AM

    Respect for your great work. Keep on brother.

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  2. invisiblenigmaMay 15, 2008 at 8:58 AM

    Thanks Simon! Another Nice One! Your really got a good thing Going. I love it.

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  3. hMay 15, 2008 at 4:41 PM

    Thanks a lot ! it seems very nice

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  4. SlidewellMay 16, 2008 at 9:57 PM

    Love this great Strata East stuff! All that rolling , clattering percussion, deep grooves and soaring solos. Thanks for this!

    here's something you may enjoy: My own vinyl rip of Abdullah Ibrahim's Ekaya LP.Sorry, no rhodes on this one. :)

    http://www.mediafire.com/?7my3unrzi2y

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  5. soulbrothaMay 18, 2008 at 5:13 AM

    Wow Simon. You pulling some great stuff. Thanks!

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  6. AnonymousMay 24, 2008 at 5:24 AM

    Okay, so... It's not clear which track is which, even with the list provided, because they do not Unzip with track numbers 1-7. I got 5, two 7's, 8 - 10, and 12.
    Can someone post the time along with the order of the tracks or something?
    Sure would appreciate it.
    Thanks for the music!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Simon666May 24, 2008 at 12:50 PM

    hi Anonymous, here you go

    TRACKLIST

    01 'Ode to Ethiopia' (Holmes) - 4.32

    02 'Earth Blossom' (Holmes) - 3.29

    03 'Open Pastures' (Betsch, Holmes) - 4.30

    04 'Song for an Untitled Lady' (Bridges) - 3.53

    05 'Ra' (Puett) - 5.59

    06 'Darling Gloria' (Betsch) - 5.15

    07 'Get up and Go' (Puett) - 6.41

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  8. Chris WardJuly 13, 2010 at 10:53 PM

    Thanks a lot for this and several of your other Strat East albums.
    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  9. DannyBlueApril 6, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  10. HMPZSeptember 28, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    I would also like to say thank you!

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  11. AnonymousOctober 21, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    Hi:)
    ..not'Darling Gloria' but 'Darling Doria'

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  12. AnonymousOctober 21, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    Hi:)
    Thank you for your posting!

    I found the misspellings of 'Glaster Productions' and 'Darling Doria'

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousOctober 21, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    I'm sorry.
    Glaser Productions is right.
    I checked this album.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Simon666October 22, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Thanks anonymous, 'Doria' corrected ..

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  15. AnonymousOctober 23, 2011 at 1:54 AM

    AS FAR AS YOUR SOUL
    WILL ALLOW

    while listening to Earth Blosssom

    Shove your hands
    through the holes
    in the space of the world
    and touch the soul at the bottom.
    Be as gentle as do-right daddy
    be as strong as good old mama love
    and hold every thing with the faith
    of a questioning child.

    Shove your head through
    the space in the wholes
    of you bet your sweet life
    and when you get inside
    cock your eyes ace-deuce
    and snatch a peek around.
    Try not to stumble though
    cause nobody wants to
    fall over himself.

    Shove your heart
    through these sounds
    in the space between your ears
    but take care of your attention
    for the flute will steal your breath
    and the bass will mock the hip in your walk
    the piano will circle chords around you
    and the guitar will snag the ravels of your mind.

    Shove your hands
    through the holes
    in the congas beating
    and grab those quick cracks
    and funky thick thunks
    hanging rhythms deep down your guts
    farther than your head will allow

    Shove your soul
    through the moments vibrating
    of the crisp sizzling cymbals
    and try for as long as your soul will allow
    not to cry out surprised
    when you crash into the spirit of Great God!

    Philip M. Royster 2/15/74
    Comissioned by The John Betsch Society

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  16. Rev. bIGhIGMay 9, 2018 at 3:06 PM

    Still up after all this time, cool!
    Amen. brother.

    ReplyDelete
  17. alabama jazz fanApril 6, 2024 at 7:56 AM

    Still here 04-05-2024...Thanks a million

    ReplyDelete