Name: Blacknuss
Brand: Roland Kirk

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

LPMH8262

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Indie Exclusive

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Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-12-09

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

090771826213

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Roland Kirk

Genre GB

Jazz

Label GB

Modern Harmonic

Modern Harmonic is an imprint of a renowned music label that was launched in 2016. With a focus on delivering exceptional musical experiences, Modern Harmonic brings together a diverse range of artists and genres to create unique and captivating sounds. From reissues of classic albums to groundbreaking new releases, this label is committed to providing music lovers with the highest quality recordings and memorable listening experiences.

With its extensive catalog, Modern Harmonic offers something for every music enthusiast. Whether you're a fan of jazz, rock, soul, or experimental sounds, you'll find an impressive selection of albums that showcase the best talent from around the world. Each release is carefully curated and remastered to ensure optimal sound quality, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in the artist's vision.

As an authoritative voice in the music industry, Modern Harmonic has gained recognition for its commitment to preserving and celebrating musical history. By unearthing forgotten gems and shining a spotlight on overlooked artists, this label plays a vital role in keeping our cultural heritage alive. With their dedication to excellence and passion for great music, Modern Harmonic continues to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be at the forefront of contemporary music.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk, born on August 7, 1935 in Columbus, Ohio, was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and bandleader. He became renowned for his exceptional talent as a blind saxophonist who could play multiple wind instruments simultaneously. His main instruments were the tenor saxophone, the stritch and the manzello - two unique saxophones that he personally modified to accommodate his innovative playing technique.

Kirk's ability to play more than one saxophone at once originated from a dream he had and he dedicated himself to making it a reality. In addition to this remarkable skill, he also mastered circular breathing techniques which allowed him to sustain notes for extended periods of time - reportedly over an hour. Inspired by a dream as well, around 1970 Kirk added "Rahsaan" to his name.

Throughout his career, Rahsaan Roland Kirk played various musical instruments including clarinets and flutes alongside his beloved saxophones. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of jazz music. Sadly, he passed away on December 5th, 1977 in Bloomington, Indiana due to a stroke.

Back In Stock

From its opening bars, with Bill Salter's bass and Rahsaan's flute passionately playing Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine," you know this isn't an ordinary Kirk album (were any of them?). As the string section, electric piano, percussion, and Cornel Dupree's guitar slip in the back door, one can feel the deep soul groove Kirk is bringing to the jazz fore here. As the tune fades just two and a half minutes later, the scream of Kirk's tenor comes wailing through the intro of Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On," with a funk backdrop and no wink in the corner -- he's serious. With Richard Tee's drums kicking it, the strings developing into a wall of tension in the backing mix, and Charles McGhee's trumpet hurling the long line back at Kirk, all bets are off -- especially when they medley the mother into "Mercy Mercy Me." By the time they reach the end of the Isleys' "I Love You, Yes I Do," with the whistles, gongs, shouting, soul crooning, deep groove hustling, and greasy funk dripping from every sweet-assed note, the record could be over because the world has already turned over and surrendered -- and the album is only ten minutes old! 

Blacknuss, like The Inflated Tear, Volunteered Slavery, Rip, Rig and Panic, and I Talk to the Spirits, is Kirk at his most visionary. He took the pop out of pop and made it Great Black Music. He took the jazz world down a peg to make it feel its roots in the people's music, and consequently made great jazz from pop tunes in the same way his forbears did with Broadway show tunes. While the entire album shines like a big black sun, the other standouts include a deeply moving read of "My Girl" and a version of "The Old Rugged Cross" that takes it back forever from those white fundamentalists who took all the blood and sweat from its grain and replaced them with cheap tin and collection plates. On Kirk's version, grace doesn't come cheap, though you can certainly be a poor person to receive it. Ladies and gents, Blacknuss is as deep as a soul record can be and as hot as a jazz record has any right to call itself. A work of sheer blacknuss! by Thom Jurek/AMG

Blacknuss

Music GB

Buy Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Blacknuss (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.