Gary Bartz Ntu Troop - Harlem Bush Music: Taiga & Uhuru

Gary Bartz was in the artistic eye of the hurricane that was the black power movement at the turn of the 70s and these two albums tell it in no uncertain terms.

US saxophonist Gary Bartz recorded his two volumes of Harlem Bush Music in the Winter of 1970-71. The music was subsequently issued on two albums entitled Uhuru and Taifa on Milestone Records to huge press and public acclaim. Gary Bartz was born and raised in Baltimore and early in his career worked with such luminaries as Art Blakey and Max Roach. He also enjoyed a stint in Miles Davis's Group. In 1969, he formed his own band, calling themselves the NTU Troop, dedicated to the furtherance of Black Americans through their musical heritage. Harlem Bush Music utilised the powerful spirituality of vocalist Andy Bey, and a strong well knit rhythm team including Ron Carter on bass and Harold White on drums. Legendary producer Orrin Keepnews was brought in to work with Bartz and described his music as "One of the most stirring and impressive musical projects I've ever been involved in". Although almost thirty years have passed since their creation, Bartz's albums Taifa and Uhuru still deliver a musical punch and have been embraced by a whole new jazz audience.