Capra Black
remains one of the seminal recordings of jazz's black consciousness movement. A profoundly spiritual effort that channels both the intellectual complexity of the avant-garde as well as the emotional potency of gospel, its focus and assurance belie
Billy Harper
's inexperience as a leader. Backed by an all-star supporting unit including trombonist
Julian Priester
and drummer
Billy Cobham
,
Harper
's tenor summons the brute force and mystical resolve of
John Coltrane
but transcends its influences to communicate thoughts and feelings both idiosyncratic and universal. This is music of remarkable corporeal substance that somehow expresses the pure language of the soul. ~ Jason Ankeny