Dorothy Ashby - Afro-Harping (Deluxe Edition)

By the time of this landmark album Dorothy had been knocking around the jazz world for a number of years, but it wasn't until she hooked up with Richard Evans at Cadet Records that her sound really began to cook - breaking down genres and expectations in the trademark style of the best late 60s sides from the chicago underground.

The record's got a bit of funk, a bit of jazz, and a heck of a lot of soul - and the setting works perfectly for Dorothy's harp, giving it a lot more room to work around than some of her smaller jazz combo albums. The album includes two great originals - "Soul Vibrations" and "Afro-Harping" - both of which have a nice funky edge, and a groovy soulful bounce.

This deluxe edition features eight bonus tracks – alternate takes from the surviving four-track session reels, including an explosive rendition of the single, "Soul Vibrations," extended versions of the title track and "Little Sunflower," plus two fantastic jazzy readings of "Theme from Valley of the Dolls".

Heavyweight double vinyl produced by Verve Records in 2024. Remastered from the original 1/4" tapes.

TRACKLISTING:

1. Soul Vibrations
2. Games
3. Action Line
4. Lonely Girl
5. Life Has Its Trials
6. Afro-Harping
7. Little Sunflower
8. Theme from "Valley of the Dolls"
9. Come Live with Me
10. The Look of Love
11. Action Line (Alternate Take) [Bonus Track]
12. Afro-Harping (Alternate Take) [Bonus Track]
13. Theme from "Valley of the Dolls" (Alternate Take) [Bonus Track]
14. Lonely Girl (Alternate Take) [Bonus Track]
15. Soul Vibrations (Alternate Take) [Bonus Track]
16. Life Has Its Trials (Alternate Take) [Bonus Track]
17. Little Sunflower (Alternate Take) [Bonus Track]
18. Theme from "Valley of the Dolls" (Alternate Take) [Bonus Track]