{"product_id":"noah-howard-the-black-ark-lp","title":"Noah Howard - The Black Ark LP","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRELEASE DATE: 3\/20\/2026\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"In the pantheon of classic free jazz, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eNoah Howard\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e's \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Black Ark\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e looms large. Recorded at Bell Sound Studios in New York City in 1969 -- just prior to the alto saxophonist's relocation to Europe -- the album was eventually released in 1972. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Black Ark\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e exhibits not only the power and imagination of Howard's playing, but also his breadth as a composer and bandleader. Listeners expecting unrelenting blasts of 'energy music' might be surprised to find a cohesion atypical of free jazz; amidst the wild, impassioned solos, Howard weaves in Latin rhythms and fat-bottomed grooves. The first side, consisting of 'Domiabra' and 'Ole Negro,' sets the album's tone. Both tracks sound as if they could have appeared on some of Blue Note's proto-spiritual jazz, groove-heavy releases -- evoking the likes of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eHorace Silver\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eBobby Hutcherson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e -- before ceding the floor to the horn players' anarchic firepower. Trumpeter \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eEarl Cross\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e' guttural, vocal effects complement Doyle's take-no-prisoners approach, while the estimable combination of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eMuhammad Ali\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (Rashied's brother) on drums and Juma Sultan on congas adds an ever-shifting propulsion. The septet is rounded out by the enigmatic pianist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eLeslie Waldron\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, who anchors the group with imaginative accompaniment and occasional boppish flourishes. Every bit worthy of its reputation as an 'out-jazz' holy grail, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Black Ark\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e only sounds better with age. It remains the ideal record to convert the remaining free-jazz skeptics.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Superior Viaduct","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52258251964703,"sku":null,"price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1575\/8523\/files\/SV206LP_CU.jpg?v=1773934247","url":"https:\/\/www.bullcityrecords.com\/products\/noah-howard-the-black-ark-lp","provider":"Chaz's Bull City Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}