Shamek Farrah: First Impressions

SES-7412

Label: Strata-East

Cat No: SES-7412

Format: 180 gram LP x 1   standard sleeve

Barcode: 5060149622728

Re-mastering by: Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London

For a label that wasn't around long, Strata East achieved the same sort of label recognition that Impulse! or Blue Note managed to build. In other words, you knew what you were getting when you bought a record on the label, even if you didn't know the names on the outside of the cover. This is no exception. Who is Shamek Farrah? Who knows? Who cares? It's the music that's important. This is the standard spiritually intense new jazz one learns to expect from the label, soaked in some Eastern influences but always with its ear to the street. Musicians took their roles as leaders and spokesmen very seriously back then. This very adult statement from a group of very serious men is no exception. However, what might be an average, forgettable session is rescued by the propulsive engine of Milton Suggs' bass. He adds the fire and the drive that keeps things interesting and prevents the music from wandering into a circular spiritual morass. For fans of the sound or the label, this can be heartily recommended.                  Rob Ferrier /AMG

Tracklisting

Side A: 1. Meterologicly Tuned  2. Watch What Happens Now

Side B:  1.  Umoja Suite  2. First Impressions

Personnel: Alto Saxophone, Producer – Shamek Farrah

                   Bass – Milton Suggs

                   Congas – Calvert "Bo" Satter-White

                   Drums – Ron Warwell

                   Percussion – Kenny Harper

                   Piano – Sonelius Smith

                   Trumpet – Norman Person

Producer – Janfar Productions

Recorded At – Sound Ideas Studios

Mixed At – Sound Ideas Studios

Engineered by – Geoff Daking and George Klabin