Dorothy Ashby – Afro-Harping CD (Deluxe Edition)

Deluxe edition features eight bonus tracks – alternate takes from the surviving four-track session reels, including an explosive rendition of the single, “Soul Vibrations,” extended versions of the title track and “Little Sunflower,” plus two fantastic jazzy readings of “Theme from Valley of the Dolls.” Afro-Harping is the first of a rarefied and outstanding trilogy of soul-jazz albums by Dorothy Ashby. Remastered from the original tapes, Afro-Harping is filled front-to-back with sumptuous and hypnotic grooves. It’s African percussion, soulful orchestrations, in-the-pocket rhythms and Dorothy’s virtuosity take it beyond jazzy mood music and made it a favorite of beat heads and producers.