Ocean Bridges (LP) Archie Shepp, Damu The Fudgemunk & Raw Poetic

Groundbreaking studio session recorded with a 7 piece live band featuring legendary jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp, Damu The Fudgemunk on the 1’s & 2’s, and Raw Poetic on the mic. 

This album was celebrated in DownBeat, Modern Drummer, Jazz Times, Pitchfork, the Washington Post, and Newsweek to name a few.  It continues to garner praises as a definitive artistic achievement to start our present decade that will be recognized for years to come.   

Pressed on 2LP vinyl with OBI Strip and full-color insert with lyrics.

Archie Shepp – Tenor and Soprano Sax, Electric Piano
Raw Poetic – Vocals/Raps
Damu the Fudgemunk- Drums, Vibraphone, Turntable Scratching
Pat Fritz- Guitar
Aaron Gause- Electric Piano, Synthesizer
Luke Stewart- Acoustic and Electric bass
Jamal Moore- Tenor sax, Percussion, Clarinet
Bashi Rose – Drums/Percussion

Check out some of the amazing reviews:

Madlib:
I love that album!

Rolling Stone:
The marriage of Raw Poetic’s searching, socially conscious rhymes, and Shepp’s sax — both his keening soprano and grittily majestic tenor — bubbling to the surface in turn.

Pitchfork:

Shepp came out of the avant-garde black-music tradition that proudly claimed Cecil Taylor and anointed John Coltrane.

Newsweek:
The hip-hop/jazz crossover is a refreshing take on both classic rap and jazz. Shepp’s sax cuts through the rest of the band to provide passionate solos, as Raw Poetic sounds absolutely joyous.
Jazz Times:
The 66-minute recording is limber and full of chill grooves punctuated by interludes enhanced with references to Eddie Harris’ “Freedom Jazz Dance” and John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.”  Although very of its moment, the recording is in the spirit of the early ’70s, when genres didn’t need bridges to overlap and political consciousness was a given.
Philly Inquirer:
Ocean Bridges ignores boundaries, links generations by telling a story that reaffirms family ties while blending genres, and featuring a whole lot of inspired Archie Shepp sax solos.

Washington Post:
Unlike many of his peers, Shepp has long embraced poetry and hip-hop as an intuitive part of what he prefers to call African American music.

TRACKLIST:

A1. Valuable Lesson
A2. Learning to Breathe
A3. Professor Shepp’s Agenda Pt. 1
A4. Tulips
A5. Professor Shepp’s Agenda Pt. 2

B1. Aperture
B2. Professor Shepp’s Agenda Pt. 3

C1. Moving Maps
C2. Professor Shepp’s Agenda Pt. 4
C3. Sugar Coat It
C4. Professor Shepp’s Agenda Pt. 5

D1. 2 Hour Parking
D2. Professor Shepp’s Agenda Pt. 6
D3. Searching Souls
D4. Professor Shepp’s Agenda Pt. 7