The words “inventive” and “innovative” don’t really cover the gist of Ginger Baker‘s creativity that spanned well beyond his stints with CREAM and BLIND FAITH, tenures with GRAHAM BOND ORGANISATION and BAKER GURVITZ ARMY and spells with BLUES INCORPORATED and HAWIWIND. His mastery of rock and Afrobeat idioms unrivaled, the late drummer’s solo catalogue has been difficult to grasp, though, due to its disarray – and this is what MiG Music’s new program will try to address in terms of order and quality applied to a new series of releases.
The first in line is a double-CD “What A Day: Beat Club 1970” penciled in for September 6th and comprised of, as the package’s title suggests, recordings GINGER BAKER’S AIR FORCE made for the popular German TV show in October of the, again, titular year. Listening to the legendary skin-hitter accompanied by his former boss Graham Bond on organ, Aliki Ashman and Diane Stewart on vocals, Colin Gibson on bass, Georgie Fame’s associate Speedy Acquaye on congas, Bud Beadle and Steve Gregory on reeds, and future LINDISFARNE keyboardist Kenny Craddock is a treat – and watching the ensemble in action is an even bigger delight. Here they draw on material by both of their albums and throw in a bit of CREAM too, trying it all in a variety of takes, and there will be alternative takes and outtakes on a reissue of 1970’s “Air Force 2” which was supposed to open this program only to be pushed further in the schedule that should include many more interesting artifacts.
What A Day:
Beat Club 1970
1. Early In The Morning (take 1)
2. Sunshine Of Your Love (take 1)
3. Toady (take 1)
4. 12 Gates Of The City (take 1)
5. What A Day (take 1)
6. Studioatmosphere
7. Early In The Morning (take 2)
8. Sunshine Of Your Love (take 2)
9. Toady (take 2)
10. 12 Gates Of The City (take 2)
11. What A Day (take 2)
