The Harlem Experiment (new from ropeadope)

I'm back from 2 weeks in Europe with a quick post. More this weekend, including a treat from Paris (French label Rob Swift release, hard to track down here). But first . . .

Ropeadope Records will release The Harlem Experiment, the third album in its city homage series, on October 30th. Following on the heels of The Philadelphia Experiment (feat. Christian McBride, Uri Caine and the mighty ?uestlove -- probably los amigos favorite album of 2001), the Philadelphia Experiment Remixed album directed by King Britt, and The Detroit Experiment, ropeadope goes uptown.

As the label notes, "The 'city experiment' albums are jazz-inspired collaborations by well-known local musicians who set out to capture the sound and spirit of their hometowns." Obviously, Harlem provides fertile ground for a city tribute. After previewing the album, I've already cleared a spot towards the top of los amigos "best albums of 2007" list.

rodeadope **stand strong** records

According to ropeadope, Harlem is the next logical step in the city series because "we look to Harlem as ground zero for all that is modern day 'American' music - whether you call it jazz, R&B, hip-hop or rock, all of it passed through the neighborhood's gates." Here's more about the forthcoming album from the roapeadope press release:

The Harlem Experiment takes on the melting pot identity of Harlem, from the early Jewish enclaves to the epicenter of African-American culture to the Latin legacy of Spanish Harlem titans like Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri. [The album] includes jazz, funk and hip-hop. But the project also digs deep into Harlem's illustrious roots and gives shout-outs to the Jewish and Spanish communities that also helped to create one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world. It makes sense that Latin rhythms are laced throughout the jazz and hip-hop of tracks like "One For Jackie," and "It's Just Begun." It makes sense that the Klezmer style of Don Byron's clarinet transcends the playful jazz on "Reefer Man" and the funkified Yiddish folk song "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen."

The musicians ropeadope brought together for the album (the "Harlem Experiment House Band") include Eddy Martinez (Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Run D.M.C.) on the keys, Steven Bernstein (Sex Mob) on trumpet, Steve Berrios on drums, Don Byron (!) on clarinet, Ruben Rodriguez (Tito Puente) on bass, and Carlos Alomar (David Bowie) on guitar. Guest artists and vocalists include Olu Dara, Taj Mahal, Queen Esther, and Larry Legend. The joint is produced by Aaron Levinson, creator of the great Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

Here's a sample, courtesy of ropeadope records: the glorious, fat-beat bounce / chunky-funky clavinet crunch driven, trombone, horn, and synth punctuated romp "One for Jackie" by the Harlem Experiment house band.

One For Jackie -- The Harlem Experiment (2007)

And to further whet your appetite, here's the full album track listing:

1. Intro
2. One for Jackie (feat. the Harlem Experiment House Band)
3. Rigor Mortis (feat. the Harlem Experiment House Band)
4. Reefer Man (feat. Taj Mahal on vocals)
5. Harlem River Drive (feat. Steven Bernstein on trumpet)
6. Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen (feat. Don Byron on clarinet)
7. Mums Interlude
8. It's Just Begun (feat. Larry Legend on turntables)
9. Mambo a la Savoy (feat. Carlos Alomar on guitar)
10. A Rose in Spanish Harlem (feat. James Hunter on vocals & guitar)
11. One For Malcolm (feat. Malcolm X samples)
12. 'Lil Bit (feat. DJ Mums on the mic)
13. Think (feat. Queen Esther on vocals)
14. A Rose in Spanish Harlem
15. Walking Through Harlem (feat. Olu Dara on vocals, guitar & pocket trumpet)

Two tracks, "A Rose In Spanish Harlem"and "Reefer Man," are now available for purchase on iTunes in advance of the album release date.

Pre-order The Harlem Experiment from rodeadope. Release date: October 30th

BONUS: Speaking of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, here's a sample track from their United We Swing album released earlier this year, made available for free download by Six Degrees Records:

Sacala Bailar -- Spanish Harlem Orchestra: United We Swing (2007)

back with Rob Swift this weekend. peace.

p.s. Go Red Sox!!
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