Philip Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble
Kelan Phil Cohran is an unsung hero of jazz history and a cosmic treasure. He played with Sun Ra in the late '50s and early '60s and was a co-founder of the world famous AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians). The Artistic Heritage ensemble was a crucially important group in Chicago
Kelan Phil Cohran is an unsung hero of jazz history and a cosmic treasure. He played with Sun Ra in the late '50s and early '60s and was a co-founder of the world famous AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians). The Artistic Heritage ensemble was a crucially important group in Chicago
African Skies
Limited edition 180g vinyl. Stoughton tip-on gatefold jacket. Restored artwork + previously unseen family photos. In 1993, when Chicago's Adler Planetarium commissioned Kelan Phil Cohran to score their "African Skies" program, they tapped into a mind that moved effortlessly between galaxies and neighborhoods, between ancestral rhythm and modern invention. Three decades later, Listening Position presents the first official reissue of this cosmic masterpiece - a recording that stands as both a spi…
Meditation
Kelan Phil Cohran's ('Kelan' is an honorific meaning 'holy scripture' bestowed on him by Chinese Muslims during a visit to China) Meditation was recorded at Atiba Johnson's Chicago studio in 1996, but has circulated only privately until now, with its long-awaited official release on Katalyst. And in waiting for it to arrive, we have perhaps been given what we need to appreciate it as it unfolds. The two players on the session are Kelan Phil Cohran (harp, frankiphone, cornet, zither) and Malik Co…
Armageddon
2013 re-release. Yet another masterpiece from the archives of Phil Cohran. Armageddon was conceived in 1958 and written down in 1963. After performing with Sun Ra and benefiting from the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Phil Cohran's compositions changed decidedly, and he began to focus on cosmology and culture. This particular performance was recorded live at the Afro Arts Theater at 3900 S. Drexel in Chicago on February 11th, 1968. It has never been released and practically unheard …
The Spanish Suite
2012 Re-release "The Spanish Suite was written to magnify the contribution that Moorish Spain made on the European Renaissance. The relationship of music to cosmic rhythms and harmony was altered from the original state of Spanish music and eventually distorted down to the 12 tone equi-temperment system of tuning. The Artistic Heritage Ensemble was taught to play outside of the 12-tone system and to recognize natural tone relationships. The musicians had to be dedicated to music for life …
The Malcolm X Memorial
A live performance recorded on February 25, 1968 at the Affro-Arts Theater, a cultural center in Chicago operated by Philip Cohran from 1967-1970. This concert was a tribute to the late Malcolm X in the form of a suite of 4 tracks, each capturing a period of his life, 'Malcolm Little,' 'Detroit Red,' 'Malcolm X,' and 'El Hajj Malik El Shabazz.' The personnel and instrumentation are almost identical to Cohran's 'On the Beach' session. This historic and mesmerizing concert was originally an LP iss…
On The Beach
A re-reissue of this classic recording of Philip Cohran and the Artistic Heritage Ensemble. This record has only been previously available in limited quantities and is back in print now due to the collaborative efforts of Kelan Zulu productions and Katalyst Entertainment. This historic recording is the definitive representation of one of the most significant groups of this era in jazz history. With several legendary musicians including guitarist Pete Cosey, percussionist Henry Gibson, Louis Satt…