June 17, 2022
Legacy Records
2xLP
Talk and trade about the mythologized canon of 1969 has become a well trodden, and perhaps even tired path in music history. What are we then to make of the rediscovery of the footage and sounds from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival? Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, known principally as drummer/producer of The Roots, and the director of the new and universally acclaimed documentary Summer of Soul (...Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised), would suggest that what went down in Harlem that summer (sonically, politically, visually) is as urgent and timely now as it may have been then. Performing for a mostly black audience, an irresistible lineup that spanned many genres —this soundtrack is not limited to classic soul— showed up to deliver a message that celebrated community and dignity. Here we have titans like B.B. King pounding out some blues-funk, or Nina Simone providing an emotional finale, while names like Max Roach, Ray Baretto and Herbie Mann provide some jazzy swagger. Despite being recorded fifty years ago, the love and effort that went into this project is easy to hear, the audio restoration being very listenable while remaining true to its moment.