Overview: In March 1971, several dozen American soul, jazz and gospel artists embarked on a journey to Ghana, West Africa that would change the lives of all involved.

For the African American artists, this was a journey about personal roots, history, discovery, loss, pain and joy. The film documents a one-of-a-kind awe-inspiring festival where black American souls connected with black West African souls through the enduring power of music.

Directed by Academy AwardⓇ winner Denis Sanders and produced by Tom Mosk and Richard Bock, the resulting concert film/documentary features electrifying performances in front of over 100,000 Ghanaians who were witnessing these legendary artists for the first time.

The film was recently restored to the original edit by reconstructing each scene using the high quality 2K transfers from the original film elements, which were shot in the 4:3 aspect ratio.

Blu-ray Verdict: This is a monumental concert film that features artists at the peak of their powers. The Ike & Tina Turner Revue deliver fiery renditions of River Deep-Mountain High, Soul to Soul, a cut specifically written for this concert; and Otis Redding’s I’ve Been Loving You Too Long [appears as a special Blu-ray outtake].

Wilson Pickett, the most popular American artist known to West Africans at the time, delivers a rousing finale of In the Midnight Hour, Funky Broadway, and Land of a 1000 Dances. Gospel/Soul family group the Staple Singers were on hand to perform When Will Be We Paid and Are You Sure. Les McCann and Eddie Harris introduced many to jazz via spirited performances of The Price You Gotta Pay to Be Free and Hey Jorler, the latter featuring local Ghanaian artist Amoah Azangeo.

Santana, with guest percussionist Willie Bobo was the wild card. The group only had one African American member but given its reliance on Afro-Cuban and Latin American rhythm constructs played the most African-sounding music of any with Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen and Jungle Strut.

This vibrant and historically significant 1971 concert is chock full of music greatness - and I do not just mean the artists themselves, but the most historically classic songs known to us still today.

Included highlights are Ike & Tina Turner and, amongst four tracks, their R&B gem Soul To Soul and one of the greatest musical works of the 20th century River Deep-Mountain High, the beautiful sounds of The Voices Of East Harlem’ Run, Shaker Life, and we then also get a duo from The Staple Singers; the meaningful When Will We Be Paid, and the nostalgic flashback cut Are You Sure.

Also included is a quite brilliant Santana moment in the form of the lush toned, furious drums, and expertly contained explosiveness of the Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen combo plus his pulsating Jungle Strut, and we are also gifted a double from the coolest of dudes Wilson Pickett; the soulful blues of In the Midnight Hour and the dynamic drum-tastic Land Of 1000 Dances.

Bonus Materials:
Trailer
Outtake performance: Ike & Tina Turner – “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”
Commentary Track One: Mavis Staples – The Staple Singers
Commentary Track Two: Les McCann with Kevin Griffin (The Voices of East Harlem)
Commentary Track Three: Producer Tom Mosk with re-issue producers David Peck of Reelin’ In the Years Productions
Commentary Track Four: Ike Turner, Michael Shrieve (Santana), Obo Addy (Ghanian drummer), Kevin Griffin and Les McCann

Track Listing:
1. Wilson Pickett - In the Midnight Hour 2. Wilson Pickett - Land Of 1000 Dances 3. Santana - Jungle Strut 4. Santana - Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen 5. Ike & Tina Turner - River Deep-Mountain High 6. Ike & Tina Turner - Soul To Soul 7. Ike & Tina Turner - Ooh Poo Pah Doo 8. Ike & Tina Turner - I Smell Trouble 9. The Staple Singers - When Will We Be Paid 10. The Staple Singers - Are You Sure 11. Les McCann & Eddie Harris - The Price You Gotta Pay To Be Free 12. Les McCann & Eddie Harris - Hey Jorler 13. The Voices Of East Harlem - Run, Shaker Life

Official Trailer

Official Purchase Link

www.liberationhall.com