Name: Auction
Brand: David Axelrod

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

xaxaulp624

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Discs

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2007-08-07

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

F Minor

Tax rate GB

UPC / Barcode

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

David Axelrod

Genre GB

Jazz

Label GB

rather than deal with his usual religious themes, axelrod dedicated this album to slavery with a picture of a slave auction on the front and back of the gatefold cover. the opening refrain 'oh! freedom' is a gospel tune, but then axelrod quickly turns to probably one of his most straight head soul-funk songs with the title track powered by the drumming of john guerin and the congas of king errison. the song gets even better with a guitar, drum and bass breakdown in the middle. eventually the guitar of david t. walker fades out and bassist james hughart gets to solo over the drums and congas. sympathy is a slow jazz song with female singing that begins with just the guitar and bass. the lyrics are based upon the poem of the same name by early african american writer and poet paul lawrence dunbar. the piece has the famous line 'i know why the caged bird sings'. 'debt' and 'be proud, my race!' are in a similar vein and are also based upon dunbar's writing. be proud, my race! comes closest to the classic axelrod sound with the group singing, although in this case it sounds like a chorus from a show tune rather than axelrod's usual gregorian monk stuff. the album switches back to the funk with another laidback cut entitled freedom, before picking the pace up with the instrumental leading citizen that features a drum and conga break and a drum break in between hits on the bass, and a really nice solo by walker. joe sample also appears, and the album was co-produced by cannonball adderley.

Auction

Music GB