Soul To Soul: Music From The Original Soundtrack [CD]

Va - Soul To Soul: Music From The Original Soundtrack [CD]

"In 1971 several dozen African American soul, jazz, and gospel artists embarked on a journey that would change the lives of everyone involved. They traveled from New York City to Ghana, West Africa to take part in a 13-hour concert entitled Soul to Soul. The concert was a celebration of 14 years of Ghana's independence from British rule. For most of these artists it was their first trip to Africa. For the African American musicians, this was a journey about personal roots, the ancestral homeland, history, discovery, loss, pain and joy. Directed by Academy Award winner Denis Sanders the concert film/documentary had a limited theatrical run in 1971. It now returns restored with the original edit reconstructing each scene using high quality 2K transfers from the original film elements, which were shot in the 4:3 aspect ratio. The soundtrack has been digitally remastered. Soul to Soul is an electrifying concert film that features its players at the peak of their powers. The Ike & Tina Turner Revue deliver fiery renditions of 'River Deep-Mountain High,' 'Soul to Soul,' a cut specifically written for this concert; and Otis Redding's 'I've Been Loving You Too Long.' Wilson Pickett, the most popular American artist known to West Africans at the time, delivers a rousing finale of 'In the Midnight Hour,' 'Funky Broadway,' and 'Land of a 1000 Dances.' Gospel/Soul family group the Staples Singers were on hand to perform 'When Will Be We Paid' and 'Are You Sure.' Les McCann and Eddie Harris introduced many to jazz via spirited performances of 'The Price You Gotta Pay to Be Free' and 'Hey Jorler,' the latter featuring local Ghanaian artist Amoah Azangeo. Santana, with guest percussionist Willie Bobo was the wild card. The group only had one African American member but given its reliance on Afro-Cuban and Latin American rhythm constructs played the most African-sounding music of any with 'Black Magic Woman'/'Gypsy Queen' and 'Jungle Strut.'"