About This Item
Originally released in 1970, InchBlack, Brown and BeautifulInch saw legendary composer and arranger Oliver Nelson musically address the state of black America in the wake of the assassination of Martin Luther King. Tracks like 'Requiem', 'Lamb Of God' and 'Martin Was A Man, A Real Man' directly address the passing of King, whereas 'Self Help Is Needed' and 'I Hope In Time A Change Will Come' orchestrally and passionately ask questions that still remain unanswered today. Indeed, Nelson, writing about the track 'Self Help Is Needed' stated InchI have always felt that the Federal Government wasn't going to do a damn thing and American Blacks were going to have to do it themselves. However, you can't have a foot on your neck making it impossible for you to help yourself. That seems logical - doesn't it?Inch Sadly, those words still hold true today. Musically, this is a sumptuous, almost big band, banquet with Nelson himself talking the soprano sax solo on the aching 'I Hope In Time A Change Will Come'. Those who are fans of classic Nelson albums like InchThe Blues And The Abstract TruthInch (1961) and the equally polemical InchThe Mayor And The PeopleInch (1971) will find much to enjoy here. This reissue replicates the original high-quality gatefold sleeve of the original and is pressed on 180gm vinyl. InchBlack, Brown And BeautifulInch has never been reissued on vinyl since the original 1970 US pressing. So, more than half a century after it's , Ace Records are delighted to offer it to jazz collectors and fans worldwide. Album Tracks 1. Aftermath 2. Requiem 3. Lamb of God 4. Martin Was a Man, a Real Man 5. Self-Help Is Needed 6. I Hope in Time a Change Will Come 7. 3, 2, 1, 0 8. Black, Brown and Beautiful 9. Requiem, Afterthoughts
