Afro-American Ensemble – Free The Black Man's Chains LP Coloured Vinyl

The Afro-American Ensemble – Free The Black Man's Chains

- Limited Edition Marbled Vinyl
- Includes a printed inner sleeve featuring an insightful essay by Dean Rudland of Acid Jazz
- Reissued for the very first time 
- The first black opera 
- Predicts the first black American President 40 years ahead of its time 
- Includes the hit ‘Fair Skin Man’

CHARLY RECORDS present the first ever reissue of the sought-after, cult, New York, gospel street opera, Free The Black Man’s Chains. The most intriguing, and certainly the most ambitious project on the city’s GSF label (see more stunning titles on GSF exclusively from Charly).

The project had its roots in a trio of singles released by the mysterious Broad Street Gang in 1971. The first, on the Cougar label called “Fair Skin Man” and its two follow-ups “L-o-v-e Love” and the title track from the album “Free The Black Man's Chains”. Celebrated musicians on the sessions were Mitchell Rowe, Bobby Eli, Len Pakula, Daryl Hall, Ron Baker, Norman Harris, The Raelettes and strings arranged by Richie Rome.

A project like Free The Black Man's Chains should have been perfect for the multi-media nature of GSF. The album could have led to a film in the way that it had for Jesus Christ Superstar, but instead like so many of the label's releases, the album failed to make its mark due to a lack of promotion. GSF would barely reach its second birthday before it – and its parent company – shut down.

Tracklist:
1. Free the Black Man's Chains
2. ""Slave"" I Wanna Be Free
3. It's a Sad Black World
4. North To the Promised Land (Big Black Man)
5. Black is Black
6. Fair Skin Man
7. Gone is the Laughter With You
8. Somebody Bigger Than You and I
9. Love (L.O.V.E.)
10. Tomorrow the Sun Will Shine
11. Soul President
12. We Are Here (Finale)

Label: Charly Records
Released: 1972/2025