Joe Phillips here credited under his muslim name Yusuf Mumin plays alto sax. He is accompanied by Abdul Wadud on cello and bass, credited under his birth name Ron (Ronald) DeVaughn. The last musician, Haasan-Al-hut on percussions, is I think a totally unknown player that was recorded only during this session. The more well-known of the participants is of course Wadud who is one of most important cellists in free jazz. The only other known session to which Phillips participated was the ESP recording of trumpeter Norman Howard that was just recently reissued as "Burn Baby Burn" ... also a pretty obscure recording in itself (we're reaching the darkest corners of free jazz history here !). The group was from the Cleveland area, probably from Oberlin where Wadud studied. Recording date is not indicated but we can think that it took place after 1968 (recording of the Norman Howard ESP session where Phillips is not listed under his muslim name) and before 1972 (release of Julius Hemphill's "Dogon A.D." where Wadud is credited under his muslim name and do not double on bass anymore).A word on the label and pressing. Amongst the rather small amount of info featured on the back cover, we learn that the disc was manufactured by Rite Records, an Ohio based operation offering low-costs packaging to its customers that included everything needed to make a record : recording, mixing, mastering and pressing. It is likely that the "Salaam" label existed only with the release of this record (the catalog number would second that, its choice seems more related to symbolism than to practical counting reasons).
That's it for the historical info. Maybe something on the music itself later but trust me, it is pretty good. My favourite part of the record is the second side, just check Wadud's arco work on "Opening Prayer" and on the intro of "John's Vision" and I think you'll be convinced.
As my rip originates from a cassette copy (lots of thanks to NK from Japan by the way) I choosed to post only MP3 at 320, but if some of our readers really want to get a lossless version just let me know in the comments.
Dedicated to all those not yet members of the Braxton sect :).
Enjoy,
Pierre