Afro-Harping - Dorothy Ashby (1968)
It can be easy to see the harp as a kind of novelty instrument. It takes an incredible amount of skill to play it well, but it still has a second-class status to piano or guitar. An endless array of harp covers of Nirvana and Metallica on the youtubes probably don’t help that perception any, but keep going, guys.
Ashby was a virtuoso on harp, and had already released several great bebop records that stand along with a lot the top output of the era. Here she branches out into groove-heavy, funky, chill bossa nova sound.
This is not some novelty record. Ashby was a legit power, and she had a bigger vision of reaching out to the world than just vamping on some basic standards but with a harp.
This release, in particular, has some really interesting sounds mixed in. Funk and soul influences play prominently, backed by a great rhythm section and a small orchestra (or at least it sounds small) arranged by producer Richard Evans.
It’s innovative and interesting, easily mistaken for less because of the unusual instrumentation and the dated lounge arrangements.
Tracks I Liked
Soul Vibration - I thought it was a Melotron along with the strings, but this review says it’s doubled theremins. It’s a funky good time.
Life Has Its Trials - flute jam
Little Sunflower - In case there was any doubt about how good Ashby was: she almost completely carries the melody on this track, along with the primary harmonies and plenty of additional showing off.
