James Blood Ulmer & George Adams: Phalanx – Got Something Good for You (CD2046)

Two strong personalities, one band. Guitarist James Blood Ulmer and tenor saxophonist George Adams founded Phalanx, and this album is where it all began. It was recorded in September 1985 at Volkspark-Studio in Hamburg with Amin Ali on electric bass and Calvin Weston on drums.

The music is a mix of street-level funk, deep blues and free jazz. Ulmer’s angular, raw guitar and Adams’ big, gospel-tinged tenor sound push each other forward, and both of them sing too. Tracks like “Funky Lover” and “House People” groove hard, while “Rough Traders”, co-written by the two leaders, and Adams’ “A Night Out” show the band’s wilder side. The CD also includes the bonus track “Free”.

This is essential for fans of Ulmer’s No Wave, of soulful avant-garde jazz and of the downtown New York sound of the 1980s. Produced by Burkhard Hennen and released on Moers Music. When you buy here, you’re buying directly from the label, and we only sell originals.

The Side Story

The album title has a history. “Got Something Good for You” was originally a blues that George Adams wrote and sang himself on his earlier album Sound Suggestions. With Phalanx, that blues side found a new home.

This was the first of three Phalanx albums. Moers Music released the debut, and the later records Original Phalanx (1987) and In Touch (1988) came out on the Japanese label DIW. On those, the rhythm section changed: bassist Sirone and drummer Rashied Ali, famous for his work with John Coltrane, replaced Amin Ali and Calvin Weston.

There’s also a link to another Moers release. Bassist Amin Ali played with Ulmer on the Music Revelation Ensemble’s debut No Wave (CD1072), which is also available from Moers Music.

Tracklist

1. Upside Down – 3:27

2. Funky Lover – 6:51

3. Past Time – 5:18

4. A Night Out (George Adams) – 5:29

5. Rough Traders (Adams/Ulmer) – 7:00

6. Love and Two Faces – 6:12

7. House People – 4:59

8. Free – 6:00 (CD bonus track)

All compositions by James Blood Ulmer except where noted. Total running time: approx. 45 minutes

Personnel

• James Blood Ulmer – electric guitar, vocals

• George Adams – tenor saxophone, vocals

• Amin Ali – electric bass

• Calvin Weston – drums

Details

• Format: CD

• Label: Moers Music

• Catalog no.: CD2046

• Recorded: September 1985, Volkspark-Studio, Hamburg

• Producer: Burkhard Hennen

• Price: €14.00