free the black man's chains

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.

A Black Rock Opera

Track listing:

• A1 L.C. Grier - Free The Black Man's Chains
• A2 L.C. Grier - "Slave" I Wanna Be Free
• A3 L.C. Grier - It's A Sad Black World
• A4 L.C. Grier And Novella Edmonds - North To The Promised Land (Big Black Man)
• A5 Novella Edmonds - Black Is Black
• A6 Jr. Grier - Fair Skin Man
• B1 L.C. Grier - Gone Is The Laughter With You
• B2 Novella Edmonds - Somebody Bigger Than You And I
• B3 L.C. Grier - Love (L.O.V.E.)
• B4 L.C. GRIER - Tomorrow The Sun Will Shine
• B5 L.C. Grier - Soul President
• B6 Novella Edmonds, L.C. Grier - We Are Here (Finale)