Harp And Soul

Dorothy Ashby: Soul Vibrations and Come Live With Me
From: Afro-Harping [Cadet, 1968]

What with all the continued drama and ups and downs that accompany the World Cup what better time to take a breather, sit back, and unwind your mind to the sounds of Dorothy Ashby.

The harp is not the first instrument that springs to mind when you think of funky, beat heavy, jazz and Ashby worked long and hard to garner respect for her talent, touring with more established musicians thoughout the fifties and into the sixties. However, the hard work was worth it as one listen of Ashby's playing and it all makes perfect sense. Ashby's skill with the instrument takes the harp out of the background, crafting sublime melodies and themes, it's lush sound working beautifully with the arrangements of Richard Evans and the trademark bassy production of the Cadet label.

Afro-Harping is, in my mind at least, Ashby's strongest work, capturing her at the height of her powers with a sound that's as tight as they come. From the get go on Soul Vibrations it's all about the power of the piece, coming across like a lost track from Axelrod's Songs albums, exotic strings and thudding drums propelling the track forward with Ashby's harp fluttering over the top exquisitely.

Come Live With Me is lazing on a sunny day captured on vinyl grooves. Blissfully laid back, the track glides by as Ashby's harp and synthesised chords leave you floating away in a cloud of dreams. Absolutely gorgeous and the perfect tonic for a hectic month.