Flight 17

/Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra.
Personnel: Horace Tapscott (piano); Jesse Sharps (leader, soprano & tenor saxophones, bamboo flute); Linda Hill (vocals, piano); Adele Sebastian (vocals, flute); Billy Harris (soprano saxophone); Michael Session (alto saxophone); James Andrews (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet); Sabia Matteen (tenor saxophone); John Williams (baritone saxophone); Kafi Larry Roberts, Herbert Callies (flute); Archie Johnson, Lester Robinson (trombone); Red Callender (tuba); Alan Hines, David Bryant, Roberto Miranda (bass); Billy Hinton, Everett Brown, Jr. (drums); Daa'oud Woods (percussion).
Personnel: Horace Tapscott (piano).
Other than half an album cut in 1969 for Flying Dutchman (which was shared with the John Carter/Bobby Bradford group), this release was pianist Horace Tapscott's recording debut as a leader. Tapscott's Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra (consisting of two pianos, six reeds, two trombones, Red Callender on tuba, cello, two basses, a drummer, and a percussionist) had an unusual sound and made three records during 1978-1979. The band performs five group originals; surprisingly none were written by the leader. While there are some individual solos (particularly by Tapscott), it is the dense and frequently exciting ensembles that are most notable in this avant-garde but rhythmic music. ~ Scott Yanow