Black Panther Party Political Funk/Soul 45 The Lumpen

$

200

Here is a mega-rare 45 that I recently came across. The record was produced and put out by the Black Panther Party in California in the late 60's. The record was conceived as a response to the trial of Bobby Seale, who was a member and co-founder of The Black Panther Party and was on trial in Chicago during the infamous "CHICAGO 7" trial. See here for more info on the Chicago 7 :

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/chicago7/chicago7.html 

Below is an excerpt from this site :

Bobby Seale, cofounder with Huey Newton in 1966 of the Black Panther Party, was one of the original eight defendants in the Chicago Conspiracy Trial.  Seale complained bitterly that he had been denied a right to the lawyer of his choice (Seale's attorney was hospitalized for surgery and Judge Hoffman refused his request for a continuance) and the right to represent himself.  After several angry outbursts, Judge Hoffman ordered Seale bound and gagged. Finally, on November 5, 1969, the judge severed Seale's case from that of the other defendants.

Both sides of this disc were written and arranged by Bill Calhoun, who was a member of THE LUMPEN, The Black Panther Party Revolutionary Singing Group :

http://www.itsabouttimebpp.com/Our_Stories/The_Lumpen/the_lumpen.html

Below is an excerpt from this site:

The original members were Bill Calhoun, Clark (Santa Rita) Bailey, James Mott and myself, Michael Torrance. In the beginning we were just comrades who liked to harmonize while working Distribution night in San Francisco to "help the work go easier" (another tradition). We had all sung in groups in the past, Calhoun having performed professionally in Las Vegas, and it just came naturally. I don't remember just how it came about, but Emory Douglas, Minister of Culture, suggested that this could be formed into a musical cadre. Elaine Brown had already recorded an album of revolutionary songs (Seize the Time) in a folk singing style, and this quartet singing in an R&B or "Soul" form could be a useful political tool. Some folks don't read, but everybody listens to music.

Shortly thereafter, Calhoun wrote "No More" in a spiritual/traditional style, and then "Bobby Must Be Set Free", a more upbeat R&B song. We recorded these two songs and soon we were singing at community centers and rallies. Emory named the group the Lumpen for the "brothers on the block," the disenfranchised, angry underclass in the ghetto. From then on the Lumpen were a Revolutionary Culture cadre - working out of National Headquarters under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, and June Hilliard who was alternately very supportive and very critical.

This record is not just another 'soul' or 'funk' record, but a part of history, a time capsule of the turbulent era that was the 60's, when revolution was in the air and anything was possible. This record is an artifact of that time.

The record is in very good condition. The labels have no tears or writing on them. The vinyl itslef is in good condition - there are a few scratches here and there, and they can be heard when playing back the record, but nothing that is too distracting, and both sides of the disc play all the way through. There is also some scuffing on the disc (see photo 4), but this does not affect play and the vinyl still retains a lot of its original gloss, and the sound on both sides is strong. There is absolutely NO warping to this disc.

Again, I have not seen this record before, and I have been collecting for over 30 years. One sold on ebay last year (here is the link): http://www./index.php?ft=1&artist=lumpen&ordby=datacheck&ordby=price&ordad=DESC.

I have not seen this record in Manships price guide as of this writing.

Thank you for taking the time to look.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING : Will be based upon country item is being shipped to. International buyer will need to pay 12 USD extra in order for this package to be sent via USPS with tracking.