Description
The 24-Carat Black – Ghetto: Misfortune\’s Wealth – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Released as part of Craft Recordings\’ Made In Memphis series.
Includes
– 180-gram vinyl cut at Ardent studios on the original Stax lathe and pressed at Memphis Record Pressing.
– Old-school style tip-on jacket with printed inner sleeve.
– New liner notes by Rob Bowman, Grammy® Award-winning author of “Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records.”
Composed, arranged, and produced almost entirely by longtime Isaac Hayes collaborator Dale Warren, the album draws marked comparisons with the lush, transformative arrangements penned by Warren for the seminal trio of Hayes albums “Hot Buttered Soul,” “The Isaac Hayes Movement,” and “To Be Continued.” Often cited as one of the first concept albums in the soul/funk genre at a time when such boldly artistic statements were reserved for progressive rock bands such as Pink Floyd, this soul opera is an entrancing mixture of lush, orchestral soul ballads and blaxploitation-era funk grooves, split into vignettes dealing with aspects of everyday life in some of America\’s poorest areas. Its unique blend of immaculately arranged grooves and socially conscious narrative launched the album into cult-classic status among DJs and producers who have sampled it, most recently by Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Digable Planets, Dr. Dre, and many others.
Ghetto: Misfortune\’s Wealth is the debut and only full-length album by The 24-Carat Black, released in 1973 on Stax Records\’ subsidiary label Enterprise. This album is a remarkable and ambitious project that blends soul, funk, and spoken word to create a conceptual piece exploring the harsh realities of urban life in America\’s ghettos. Despite its initial commercial failure, Ghetto: Misfortune\’s Wealth has since become a cult classic, highly regarded by fans of soul and hip-hop, and is considered a seminal work in the genre of political soul music.
The 24-Carat Black was led by Dale Warren, a classically trained musician, composer, and arranger who had previously worked with notable artists like Isaac Hayes and the Staple Singers. Warren conceived Ghetto: Misfortune\’s Wealth as a concept album, intending to shed light on the struggles of African American communities living in poverty.
The album’s production is deeply influenced by Warren\’s background in orchestration, featuring lush, cinematic arrangements combined with the gritty sounds of funk and soul. The 24-Carat Black\’s lineup included a group of young musicians and vocalists, who contributed to the album\’s raw and authentic sound.
Ghetto: Misfortune\’s Wealth is a concept album that paints a vivid picture of life in the ghettos, touching on themes of poverty, despair, and systemic oppression. Each track is a vignette, focusing on different aspects of the struggle faced by the urban poor.
The album is structured as a continuous narrative, with each track contributing to the overarching theme of economic and social hardship.
\”Synopsis Two: Mother\’s Day\” – The opening track sets the tone with a haunting, slow groove, and introduces the listener to the album\’s focus on the harsh realities of ghetto life.
\”Brown-Baggin\’\” – A funky, bass-driven track that discusses the hustle and improvisation necessary to survive in poverty. The groove is infectious, but the lyrics maintain a sobering tone.
\”Poverty\’s Paradise\” – One of the standout tracks, this piece is a deeply soulful lament that speaks to the idea that poverty can trap people in a cycle that’s difficult to escape. The instrumentation here is lush and layered, with strings and horns adding to the emotional depth.
\”24-Carat Black (Theme)\” – This track serves as a centerpiece for the album, bringing together its various themes with a powerful orchestration and a sense of urgency in its delivery.
\”Foodstamps\” – A short but poignant track that addresses the dehumanizing aspects of relying on welfare systems, backed by a somber yet soulful melody.
Upon its release, Ghetto: Misfortune\’s Wealth did not achieve commercial success, but its innovative fusion of social commentary, orchestral arrangements, and funk grooves earned it critical acclaim. The album’s exploration of heavy, real-world themes set it apart from many other soul and funk records of the time, making it a unique and important piece of art.
In the years following its release, the album gained a reputation as a hidden gem, particularly within the hip-hop community, where its tracks were sampled by artists looking to capture the raw emotion and depth of the original recordings. The album\’s influence can be heard in the works of artists like Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, and Digable Planets, among others.
Today, Ghetto: Misfortune\’s Wealth is considered a landmark in the genre of political soul music. It stands as a testament to the power of music as a tool for social commentary and remains a compelling listen for anyone interested in the intersection of art and activism. The album\’s reissues have helped it reach new audiences, solidifying its place as a classic in the annals of soul and funk music.
The 24-Carat Black, though short-lived, left a lasting impact with this album, and it continues to resonate with listeners who appreciate music that challenges, enlightens, and inspires. \”Ghetto: Misfortune\’s Wealth\” is more than just an album; it\’s a powerful statement on the struggles of the disenfranchised and a brilliant example of how music can reflect and respond to societal issues.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Synopsis One: In The Ghetto / God Save The World
Poverty\’s Paradise
Brown-Baggin\’
Synopsis Two: Mother\’s Day
Mother\’s Day
Foodstamps
Ghetto: Misfortune\’s Wealth
24-Carat Black (Theme)
