Dorothy Ashby
Afro-Harping

LA RECENSIONE

An unsurpassable talent on the harp, Dorothy Ashby is part of that large group of artists who, between the late '60s and the early following decade, attempted to combine the classic jazz sounds with the funk trends typical of black music of that period. Afro-Harping, released in 1968, is without a doubt one of the best results of this aforementioned genre fusion: ten magnificent tracks in which Ashby's talent shines in all its splendor, accompanied by a solid drumming and arrangements that are sometimes shocking for their modernity. Afro-Harping, in fact, like many jazz and funk records of those years, is a work anything but dated or worn out by the passing of years (a good thirty-seven), and it sounds great even today.

The hypnotic intro of "Soul Vibrations" almost seems to come from the sampler of some modern sound manipulator rather than from the instruments of a vintage jazz ensemble, "Games" and its Latin-flavored drums almost seem to reflect the modern "brazilectro" trends of a certain club music today, the initial guitar of the gentle "Lonely Girl" inspires immediate sampling, the title track boasts heavy rhythms and powerful bass grooves that would make Roni Size of "Brown Paper Bag" (who would arrive only thirty years later) envious, "Theme From Valley Of The Dolls" stands out for its dreamy atmosphere and magnificent string background, and if you find yourself nodding as in the best rap tradition to the rhythm of the magnificent "Come Live With Me", don't be scared, the spell of Afro-Harping has had the desired effect.
Above all, the exquisite technique of Dorothy Ashby shines through, which, as the listening goes on, offers unique emotions and almost engulfs the listener in the notes of her harp.

A must-have album, in summary, both for jazz enthusiasts and for all those who, fans and followers of more modern sounds, are eager to discover the sources of inspiration of their idols.