Perserverence
“Ranelin and his ensemble are completely committed on Perseverance where disciplined technical craft and expansive, melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic possibilities are presented as a musical language. Combined together with his requisite empathy and subtlety, this album defines Ranelin as a true jazz master.” — Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
Jazz Legend Phil Ranelin returns to form with his most intriguing album to date, “Perseverance.” Phil is united for the first time with Henry Franklin, known for solo releases on cult classic label Blackjazz Records and as a bassist for Hugh Masekela, and Big Black who’s solo albums Uni and sideman work roots stretch from Dizzi, to Feddie, and Randy Weston.
Joining them are a cast of immensely talented young artists, including saxophonist Kamasi Washington, Drummer Tony Austin and Pianist Mahesh Balasooriya.
The sounds of the music are indicative of Phil’s naturally soulful compositions with strong rhythmic undercurrent and eerily beautiful horn arrangements.
Track Listing:
1. In Search of the One
2. Jamaican Sunrise
3. Song for Velader
4. Moorish
5. Perseverance
6. Within Her Smile
7. Mystic Destiny
8. One for Johnson
9. Come On, Home!
10. A Tear In Elmina
“In Search of the One,” the first song on trombonist Phil Ranelin’s new album, “Perseverance,” could easily have been called “Echoes of Miles.” It’s not that Ranelin apes Miles Davis’ music. Not even close. But he plays with a restrained elegance, just as Miles did. And on the Latin-flavored “In Search of the One,” which would have fit seamlessly on “Sketches of Spain,” Ranelin’s trombone adds some earthy grit to the beauty of the melody.
Cahl's Juke Joint
Big Black
Big Black (born Daniel Ray) is a master musician percussionist and conga player. During the 1960s he often worked with “jazz giants” Randy Weston, Freddie Hubbard, Ray Bryant, Johnny Barracuda, Junior Cook, Eric Dolphy and Dizzy Gillespie. He subsequently was dubbed “The king of Congas.”
Henry Franklin, The Skipper
Henry Franklin is a jazz double-bassist who is perhaps best known for his solo albums The Skipper and The Skipper at Home on cult label Blackjazz Records. Henry has also toured and recorded with Hugh Masekela on his 1968 number one single, "Grazing in the Grass," and played with Masekela’s band at the Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967.
Franklin has played and recorded with Freddie Hubbard, Bobbi Humphrey, Willie Bobo, Archie Shepp, Don Cherry, Count Basie, Stevie Wonder, Roy Ayers, O.C. Smith, and Al Jarreau.
Kamasi Washington
Kamasi Washington is featured Saxophonist on Both Throttle Elevator Music and Phil Ranelin's Perseverance. Also as a composer Kamasi has scored for several films including Stacey Peralta's recent Independant Lens feature: Crips and Bloods: Made In America.
Phil Ranelin
Phillip Arthur Ranelin was born in Indianapolis, Indiana where he grew up under the influence of J.J. Johnson, Wes Montgomery, Earmon Hubbard, Pookie Johnson, Russell Webster, Willis Kirk, Jimmy Coe and Melvin Rhyne. Ranelin is loved and respected around the globe as a master trombonist of the J.J. Johnson tradition, as former Freddie Hubbard sideman and as co-founder of Detroit’s famed TRIBE Records.
