Interview with Byard Lancaster - The photos by Hugo Zangl

Interview of Byard Lancaster / Sounds Of Liberation

Founded in 1971, the individual members of Sounds of Liberation are all leaders in their own right. From the very start, the group built their reputation as innovative artists, playing gigs everywhere throughout Philadelphia, especially in Germantown’s Vernon Park. They recorded their first album in 1972, the self-titled Sounds of Liberation, on the Dog Town label. As their touring schedule expanded, Sounds of Liberation appeared at the Miss Black America Pageant, the New York City Arts Festival, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and numerous colleges and universities throughout the United States. The original members included Jamal, Lancaster, Sudler, Hill and James, in addition to the late percussionist Rashid Salime and bassist Billy Mills who has since changed his instrument to the piano.

Through the decades, all of the members have continued to consistently front their own bands and recordings, compose and publish their original music, and conduct workshops, seminars, master classes and lecture demonstrations for students ranging from pre-kindergarten through the undergraduate and graduate levels at universities. Individually and collectively their artistry has become known worldwide, particularly in Europe, Japan and the Philippines. Since their inception the Sounds of Liberation have defied classification, choosing instead to create a menagerie of original music that is fresh, free, lyrical, percussive, highly cultivated and spiritually elevated.

We met them in September 2006, for their show at La Villette and it was probably one of the best show I have ever seen.

These are some audio samples of our interview of the master Byard Lancaster :

Wegofunk : As a pionneer of free jazz, can you tell us more about this music?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Wegofunk : You don't sing but you have a message. What is the message contained in your music?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Wegofunk : You recorded a great jazz-funk 45 in Paris at the end of the 70s. What do you like into funk music?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Listen to Just Test

Wegofunk : You played with the best jazz musicians. Can you just describe us some musicians you played with on stage?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Wegofunk : What about the Sounds of Liberation?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Wegofunk : Is Jazz dance the inspiration of Sounds of Liberation?
Byard Lancaster :Audio Sample

Wegofunk : Something to add?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Ekseption - 5

SIDE ONE
Introduction
Siciliano
Vivace
For Example/For Sure

SIDE TWO
A La Turka
Midbar Session
Pie
My Son
Finale

Produced by Rick Van Der Linden for Philips in 1972.

With:
Rein Van Den Broek (keys, lead voc,string & vocals arr)
Dick Remelink (sax, flutes)
Cor Dekker (Bass)
Peter De Leeuwe (Drums, Percussions, Guitar)
Rick Van Der Linden (Piano, Hammond, Spinet)

Ekseption is a dutch band mixing jazz and classic music, giving strange combinations and sometimes good stuff. The good surprise comes from the song Vivace that contains a 1 minute sample of heavy groove. It includes a floating atmosphere with a B3-hammond "a la James Brown".

Audio Sample

The Aquarians - Jungle Grass

SIDE ONE
Bayu-Bayu
Adela
The Aquarians
What Do You Mean, What Do I Mean?
Excuses, Excuses

SIDE TWO
Batakum
The Head
Saja
Jungle Grass
Mucho Soul

Produced by Mark Slotkin & Bill Rinehart for Creative Complex and UNI
Recorded in Hollywood in 1969.

With :
Vladimir Vassilieff (p.)
Bobby Hutcherson (vibes)
Lynn Blessing (vibes)
Carl Lott (d.)
Stan Gilbert (b.)
Al MacKibbon (b.)
Joe Roccisano (fl., sax)
Joe Pass (g.)
Francisco Aquabella (perc.)
The Gemini Twins (voc.)
David MacKay (voc.)
Vicki Hamilton (voc.)

Here is an amazing recording by pianist Vladimir Vassilieff, between 60s hippies melodies (it was recorded on west coast in 69), latin boogaloo and brasillian funky jazz.
Bayu-Bayu is in a "Marcos Valle" mood and Joe Pass' guitar sounds like Wes Montgomery : just beautiful!!
The Gemini Twins appear only on the Aquarians ; however they make this track very "lovely"!!
Audio Sample

Geneviève Paris - Entre Le Vert Et Le Gris...

SIDE ONE
Requiem Pour Un Chanteur De Metro
Un Dimanche Matin
Entre Le Vert Et Le Gris
Déviation
Woodstock

SIDE TWO
La Tête Dans Les Iles
Tu Fais Ta Valise
De Paris En Paris (instrumental)
Ca Se Voit
Je Perds La Mémoire, Je Crois

Produced by Jacques Bedos for AZ
Recorded in Paris in 1977.

With :
Gérard Bikialo (ac. & el. p., synth.)
Christian Padovan (b., voc.)
André Ceccarelli (d.)
Marc Chantereau (perc.)
Geneviève Paris (voc., g., ac. p., synth.)

Geneviève Paris is a parisian pop singer.
On this album, De Paris En Paris is the only very interesting track, but what a track!!
This is a Cortex-like instrumental jazz-funk with rock influences, featuring André Ceccarelli on drums and Marc Chantereau (Sirocco, Telemusic, Voyage) on percussion.
Audio Sample