Frank Foster – The Loud Minority Originally released in 1972 on Mainstream Records, The Loud Minority is a towering masterpiece of 1970s spiritual soul-jazz. Led by legendary saxophonist and former Count Basie arranger Frank Foster, this album represents a massive departure from traditional swing, plunging headfirst into the politically charged, fiercely energetic sounds of the civil rights era. To bring his vision to life, Foster assembled a colossal 22-piece big band featuring a staggering lineup of jazz titans, including Elvin Jones, Stanley Clarke, Harold Mabern, Airto Moreira, and Cecil Bridgewater. The title track is an explosive, funk-driven anthem fueled by Dee Dee Bridgewater’s impassioned, spoken-word and vocal performance, famously declaring, "We are a part of the loud minority / And as such we are a part of the most vocal, the most verbal..."
A holy grail for record collectors and hip-hop producers alike (heavily sampled by artists like A Tribe Called Quest), The Loud Minority seamlessly blends the power of a roaring big band with heavy funk grooves, spiritual free-jazz dissonance, and deep, soulful pocket.
- A1 The Loud Minority
- A2 Requiem For Dusty
- B1 J.P.'s Thing
- B2 E.W. - Beautiful People
