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A TAV Essential Listening Album.

A TAV Curator’s Pick.

“Vibes From the Tribe is a fine record. The title track (here versioned three times, and I'm not complaining) is lusciously, greasily funky and stands in pretty stark contrast to the kind of airbrushed fusion that was in vogue at the time. "Sounds from the Village" is even better (and dirtier), showcasing Ranelin's oily trombone gymnastics and a viciously fuzzed guitar solo. "Wife" features Phil's singing and is oddly reminiscent of Frank Zappa's writing on Sleep Dirt; an affecting, snaking melody topped off with a beautiful solo from the leader, whose playing here has the grace of Bob Brookmeyer coupled with the agility of George Lewis.

"He The One We All Knew" is the obligatory Coltrane tribute and is a trip into the kind of groove based free playing typical of Pharoah Sanders, though only really picks up when the band launch into post bop swing mode in the last six minutes or so, provoking another fine Ranelin solo. Bassist Ralph Armstrong is particularly strong here; his brief solo passages are a wonder of agility and tough lyricism that make me wonder why he's not better known. Other highlights come from the mellifluous flute of Wendell Harrison. Beautiful stuff, and it's good to know that Ranelin is still at work even now. Essential.” - BBC

“In Detroit, 1971, trombonist Phil Ranelin and saxophonist Wendell Harrison started a band, a recording company, and a magazine, and called them the Tribe. Though the three organizations lasted until 1978, Ranelin's Vibes From the Tribe, issued in 1976, was the last of eight records issued by Tribe/Time Is Now Productions…

…Vibes From the Tribe is the sound of a city no one knew existed, a place vibrant with a cultural vision that included everybody. The Tribe was an organization that was focused on that vision, so much so that it could only last for so long; because it was so busy developing its homegrown identity and getting its talent to voice itself, it didn't have the time -- or the person with the influence -- to carry that vision outside its borders. Having grown up in the city and seen this band over a dozen times, I can say that the Tribe was one of the most unique and gifted jazz ensembles that the '70s ever produced. Until techno, the world didn't know how lucky it was to have a post-Motown Detroit; the evidence is now available to suggest that it should have been paying attention all along. If jazz is your thing, then get this. Period.” – All Music

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