Horace Tapscott’s 1979 spiritual jazz classic ‘Live at I.U.C.C.’ reissued
Originally released on Nimbus West Records back in 1979, Soul Jazz Records and Outernational Sounds have reissued Horace Tapscott and The Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra’s rare spiritual jazz masterpiece Live at I.U.C.C.
Not only was Tapscott a brilliant composer and pianist, he was also a highly influential community leader, activist, and mentor in his Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts. In 1963, he established the Underground Musicians Association (UGMA), which was collective made up of musicians, poets, dancers and painters from within the Watts neighborhood. The Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra ensemble was formed out of this group, featuring many young aspiring musicians. The band would often perform at juvenile delinquent centers, churches, hospitals, and community gather spots. Tapscott, the Peoples Arkestra, and the UGMA were very socially conscious with their music and overall message, feeling a strong responsibility to support artists and musicians in their community.
Outside of the 1969 Flying Dutchman released recording The Giant Is Awakened, Tapscott and the Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra’s music went unrecorded until the late seventies. During the mid-seventies and early eighties the band often performed inside the Immanuel United Church of Christ (I.U.C.C.) in Los Angeles. Tapscott and company enjoyed performing at this location because of it’s overall spiritual vibe and the way the sound naturally reverberated in the space.
In 1978, the Tapscott and the Arkestra were signed to Tom Albach’s Nimbus Records (which later became Nimbus West). Following two studio releases through the Santa Barbara-based label, Flight 17 and The Call, the band recorded a live album at I.U.C.C. over a five-month span in the spring of 1979. Simply titled Live at I.U.C.C., this recording represents the only album featuring the full Arkestra ensemble. The expansive compositions on the record are deep spiritually and raw with emotion, blending modal piano melodies, with Afro-centric rhythms, hypnotic bass grooves, soaring horn arrangements, and explosive freeform solos. Some of the highlights include reed player Jesse Sharps’ “Macramé” and “Desert Fairy Princess,” as well as the 26-minute spiritual jazz opus “Village Dance.”
With original copies going for around $100-200 these days, it’s great to see this brilliant live album reissued, and made more readily available. In my opinion, it’s easily one of the greatest spiritual jazz albums ever released.
Our music is contributive, rather than competitive — Horace Tapscott
Horace Tapscott with The Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra
‘Live at I.U.C.C’
(Originally released: 1979 / Nimbus West)
(Reissued: 2019 / Soul Jazz Records / Outernational Sounds)
1. Macrame
2. Future Sally’s Time
3. Noissessprahs
4. McKowsky’s First Fifth
5. Village Dance
6. L.T.T.
7. Desert Fairy Princess
8. Lift Every Voice
