ERIC BIBB/AIN'T IT GRAND MNW 30P (-72) SWEDEN

Eric Charles Bibb (born in New York City 1951) grew up surrounded by music. As nephew to John Lewis of Modern Jazz Quartet, godchild to Paul Robeson and with family friends as Pete Seger and Bob Dylan it's no surprise he himself became a prominent artist and today a popular carrier of the black blues torch. Early on he was also deeply involved in American anti-draft and anti-racist movements which could lead to trouble those days and probably part of the reason he was forced to relocate to Europe late sixties. After moving around for a while he landed in Stockholm where he got work at a firm handeling road buliding material. Not sure how he then got contact with the independent MNW for these recordings, but there was already a group of US draft resistors living there at the time and many of them musicians playing for various domestic labels, so with his background maybe it was bound to happen one way or another. Up to today he has issued around fifty albums, including solo studio efforts, collaborations and live takes, and still active. This was his first. Can't derive all names in the backing crew, but it seems to be a mix of Swedish and anglo-saxon musicians, among others including Roger Wallis (formerly in the band Science Poption and one of the MNW founders) and Christer Eklund (later in Jukka Tolonen Band). All songs penned by Bibb. Lyrically a protest album with anti-racist and anti-war themes. Musically a blend of blues, jazz and more regular ballads. He has a very nice voice, clear and honest, sometimes reminding of Jose Feliciano. As common for MNW recordings those days much of it sounds live in the studio, with few or no overdubs, giving full connection. As a whole a friendly encounter handeling always important subjects. Favorite tracks - the hard blues "Lovefire", the jazzy "Son Of Lazarus" and "Ain't It Grand" with some very attractive double bass by jazz musician Torbjörn Hultcrantz (1937-94). This was the only issue. It came with label as shown here in a thin fold/out cover having lyrics and record pocket inside and an inner with liner notes by Bibb. (NÅY*) (SWÄU*)