Ginger Baker's Air Force (album)

Ginger Baker's Air Force is the debut album by Ginger Baker's Air Force, released in 1970. This album is a recording of a sold-out live show at the Royal Albert Hall, on 15 January 1970, with the original 10-piece line up. The gatefold LP cover was designed left-handed, i.e., the front cover artwork was on what traditionally would be considered the back and vice versa.

Ginger Baker's Air Force
Live album by
Released30 March 1970
Recorded15 January 1970
VenueRoyal Albert Hall, South Kensington, London
GenreJazz-rock, Afro-fusion, blues rock
Length78:02
LabelPolydor (UK & Canada)
Atco (US)
ProducerGinger Baker & Jimmy Miller
Ginger Baker's Air Force chronology
Ginger Baker's Air Force
(1970)
Ginger Baker's Air Force 2
(1970)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Christgau's Record GuideD [2]

Critical reception

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The album was not well received by critics, including Greil Marcus of Rolling Stone[3] and Village Voice critic Robert Christgau, who found the sound quality "terrible" and complained that "bands led by drummers tend to leave a lot of space for drum solos".[2] By contrast, Bruce Eder from AllMusic later said the album sounded good for a Royal Albert Hall recording and called it "a must-own for jazz-rock, Afro-fusion, blues-rock, or percussion fans".[1]

Track listing

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Side 1
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Da Da Man"Harold McNair7:16
2."Early in the Morning"Traditional; arranged by Ginger Baker11:13
Side 2
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
3."Don't Care"Baker, Steve Winwood12:32
4."Toad"Baker12:59
Side 3
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."Aiko Biaye"Remi Kabaka, Teddy Osei13:00
6."Man of Constant Sorrow"Traditional; arranged by Denny Laine3:50
Side 4
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."Do What You Like"Baker11:47
8."Doin' It"Baker, Ric Grech5:26

Personnel

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Musicians

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Production

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Charts

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Chart (1970) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[4] 37
US Billboard 200[5] 33

References

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  1. ^ a b Eder, Bruce. Ginger Baker's Air Force at AllMusic
  2. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: B". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  3. ^ Griel, Marcus (28 May 1970). "Live Cream". Rolling Stone. No. 59. New York. p. 46.
  4. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  5. ^ "Ginger Baker Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2024.