BST 84320

Eddie Gale - Black Rhythm Happening

Released - 1969

Recording and Session Information

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 2, 1969
Eddie Gale, trumpet; Roland Alexander, soprano sax, flute #2-8; Jimmy Lyons, alto sax #2-8; Russell Lyle, tenor sax, flute #2-8; Jo Ann Gale Stevens, guitar, vocals #2-8; Henry Pearson, Judah Samuel, bass; Elvin Jones, drums; John Robinson, African drums #2-8; Sylvia Bibbs, Charles Davis, Paula Nadine Larkin, William Norwood, Fulumi Prince, Carol Ann Robinson, Sondra Walston, vocals #2-8.

4219 Ghetto Summertime
4220 The Gleeker
4221 It Must Be You
4222 Black Rhythm Happening
4223 Look At Teyonda
4224 Song Of Will
4379 Ghetto Love Night
4380 Mexico Thing

Track Listing

Side One
Title	Author	Recording Date
Black Rhythm Happening	Eddie Gale	May 2 1969
The Gleeker	Gale, Joann Gale Stevens	May 2 1969
Song of Will	Eddie Gale	May 2 1969
Ghetto Love Night	Eddie Gale	May 2 1969
Side Two
Mexico Thing	Eddie Gale	May 2 1969
Ghetto Summertime	Eddie Gale	May 2 1969
It Must Be You	Eddie Gale	May 2 1969
Look at Teyonda	Eddie Gale	May 2 1969

Liner Notes

First time around, Eddie presented his “Ghetto Music” concept. Here, is an extension of that point of view. As before, the Noble Gale singers are present in characteristic eagerness and optimism. (Despair and broken dreams are not the only products of the ghetto.) Fulumi Prince shapes and directs the voices in such a way as to make them seem to emerge from the music rather than accompany it.

Under Eddie’s direction, the “Ghetto Music” concept surveys the community with geiger counter precision, pausing here and there to take samples of those aspects of daily life that can be used as the basis for better understanding through relevant creativity. Most Black artists today are concerned with “relevant creativity.” Witness in particular many of the rhythm and blues groups. Check out both the songs they are singing (lyric content) and the images they are presenting on stage. I think the Stapie Singers are an excellent example of the point I am making. Of course, it doesn’t stop there, Black Rhythm is Happening Everywhere, The Temptations, The Isley Brothers, The Impressions and on down the line.

The impact of artistry is always greater and more lasting than politics. Maybe that’s why the government sends artists (musicians, dancers, singers, actors and the like) on goodwill missions more frequently than politicians.

Eddie Gale is motivated by both the need and desire to say something. His music is his contribution and here it ¡s, not only for your enjoyment but your enlightenment as well. He has dared to form a group this size and then he has the nerve to seek enough work to sustain it. Armed with little more than hope right now, Eddie continues his uphill climb. You see, he’s just into it enough to believe that when a man has something of value to say, if he tries hard and long enough, someone will hear (physically or spiritually) what he is saying and reach out and touch him. Unlike the politician, the artist must speak the truth, or his efforts will be in vain. Eddie Gale is a true artist, and is no less concerned with justice and truth.

Never has the artist been more called upon for eloquence and direction than now. Listen, above the noise of sham and mendacity and you will hear that it’s the artist who is really saying it. Eddie Gale has the resolve to say things with energy and decision through his music.

Black Rhythm is free, its soul defies confinement. Black Rhythm is a feeling running through your brain in search of an outlet somewhere in your body. Black Rhythm is what sustains you when you reach what you think to be your wits end. Black Rhythm multiplies through making love, love making, loving and love. Look at Teyonda. Teyonda is Black Rhythm. Stretching, yawning, screaming. kicking, smiling, perceiving, walking, talking, learning, knowing, teaching. Black Rhythm is a dream called Harlem, Watts, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Newark, Hough, colored town, nigger town, AFRICA. Drums sounding, loud, louder, tuning. Black Rhythm is responding to Black Rhythm. Black Rhythm is hip, angry, appeased, appalled, afraid, courageous. Black Rhythm is wisdom. Black Rhythm is affluent, arrogant and art. Black Rhythm Happening. Everywhere.

ED WILLIAMS “Maiden Voyage”
WLIB/FM NYC

Teyonda is the newest member of the Gale family.
She was delivered by her father Eddie