The official release of the 1976 recording 'The Tribe'. Previously only a handful of ultra-rare test pressing copies were floating around of this beauty. Finally after more than 35 years, this essential Spiritual Jazz recording will be made available on 180 gram vinyl and a heavy tip-on sleeve.


Long-treasured among jazz fans and record collectors, Hannibal Marvin Peterson's unreleased album The Tribe is a sacred collection of blistering jazz assaults and deep reflective spirituals from Hannibal's ten-piece group. The unreleased album is something of a holy grail among collectors, with only a handful of test presses ever made. Now 36 years later, it is ready to be officially released for the first time, and fans of Black Jazz and Strata East won't have to shell out the $2000+ asking price for what is considered by many to be a lost treasure and one of Hannibal's best works.

Originally recorded in a bid for John Hammond to hook them up with a major record deal, The Tribe session wasn't picked up in the end. Unfazed, Hannibal had all but forgotten about it until a friend pointed out that copies were exchanging hands for big bucks on the Internet a few years ago. The towering Texan's primary concern is to always get the music out to the people, and any label should facilitate that. His uncompromising view has lead to a few clashes, notably when his Children Of The Fire album was turned down because of the title, leading him to start his own label Sunrise Records. However, these disagreements also imbue his music with a certain strength, a purity, and a genuine artistic vision. "Once you change one thing, you're changing things your whole life," Hannibal says. "It's like a lie: once you tell one, you have to tell a million more. I'm always looking to make sure that what I play is worthy of the people, and can help them through times of great tribulation."

The five tracks on The Tribe fluctuate from propulsive ensemble stampedes supporting Hannibal's wild solos, to peaceful dreamy hymns. 'Now Stand' opens the album, the rest of the group playing catch-up to Hannibal and Billy Hart's trumpet and drum intro. 'A Sacred Multitude' and 'Of Life And Love And God' both tap into the deeper, contemplative side of things, Branice McKenzie's sanctified vocal and Diedre Murray's cello coming to the fore. 'Returning To The Ways' powers along with an uptempo charge not unlike Carlos Garnett's 'Mother Of The Future', but it's The Tribe's title track that steals the show and closes the record. Kicking off in exuberant spirit, the track blends heavy riffs and chants with the kind of bluesy changes that characterize Harry Whitaker's 'Black Renaissance', before ending in a foreboding metallic conclusion. 

Now Stand

A Sacred Multitude

Of Life And Love And God

The Tribe