Ginger Baker’s Air Force was a jazz-rock fusion supergroup led by drummer Ginger Baker.
History
The band formed in late 1969 upon the disbandment of Blind Faith. The original lineup consisted of Ginger Baker on drums, Steve Winwood on organ and vocals, Ric Grech on violin and bass, Jeanette Jacobs on vocals, Denny Laine on guitar and vocals, Phil Seamen on drums, Alan White on drums, Chris Wood on tenor sax and flute, Graham Bond on alto sax, Harold McNair on tenor sax and flute, and Remi Kabaka on percussion. Their first live shows, at Birmingham Town Hall in 1969 and the Royal Albert Hall, in 1970, also included Eleanor Barooshian (both Jacobs and Barooshian were former members of girl group The Cake).
The band released two albums, both in 1970: Ginger Baker’s Air Force and Ginger Baker’s Air Force 2. The second album involved substantially different personnel from the first, with Ginger Baker and Graham Bond being the primary constants between albums.
Ginger Baker’s Air Force also played a set at Wembley Stadium (original) on 19 April 1970, during the start of the World Cup Rally, which went from London to Mexico City. They also played at the Hollywood Music Festival held at Leycett (near Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England), on 24 May 1970.
In late 2015 Baker announced he would be touring in 2016 with a new version of Ginger Baker’s Air Force. The band booked a world tour under the name Ginger Baker’s Air Force 3. Baker’s blog said the band would be “showcasing new talent and collaborating with old friends.” The band played one show in London on 26 January 2015; the performance was shortened and Baker had to take many breaks due to an injury he had previously sustained. In late February 2016 the entire tour was cancelled due to doctors having diagnosed Baker with “serious heart problems”. Baker died in October 2019. (wikipedia)
Well, the liner notes are honest. This is a true bootleg-probably some stoner standing with
his tape deck held high over his head. This is a good performance overall, but if you’re
looking for instrument separation and clear vocals, I’d probably have you take a pass on
this.
This is not the band line-up that recorded the GB Air Force record in ’70. Winwood &
Gretch (his Blind faith partners) are both absent. This is a very raw recording. For die-hards,
I’d say pick-up a copy. It is a solid performance. My only issue is the sound quality. As
a side note, the price was fair and there’s a lot of music for your buck over 2 discs with
plenty of jamming. You be your own judge. I’m just offering a heads-up for any audiophiles
out there thinking about it. (by George Spiggot)
Although the sound quality of this album is really not good … it’s still an album that inspired me … this wonderful mixture of rock, jazz and African sounds was unique at the time … Ginger Baker’s Airforce was definitely one of Ginger Baker’s best line-ups.
Recorded live at the Stadthalle Offenbach/Germany, December 18, 1970
Personnel:
Speedy Acquaye (percussion)
Aliki Ashman (vocals)
Ginger Baker (drums)
Bud Beadle (saxophone)
Graham Bond (saxophone, organ, vocals)
Ken Craddock (organ, guitar, vocals)
Colin Gibson (bass)
Steve Gregory (saxophone, flute)
Diane Stewart (vocals)
Alternate edition:
Tracklist:
01. I Got The Answer (unknown) 5.44
02. We Free Kings (Baker) 10.00
03. Announcement 1.00
04. Don’t Care (Baker/Winwood) 5.11
05. Medley 25.01
05.1. Early In The Morning (Traditional) / 9.13
05.2. Sunshine Of Your Love (Bruce/Brown/Clapton) 3.51
05.3. Toady (Baker) 11.27
06. Let Me Ride (Staples) 5.31
07. 12 Gates Of The City (Bond) 13.49
08. What A Day (unknown) 5.57
09. Aiko Biaye (Kabaka) 14.55
10. Announcement 0.59
10. Do What You Like (Baker) 28.01
During the 80s I exchanged a lot of audience recordings on MC.
Here is the MC I got from this concert:
More from Ginger Baker in this blog:
Peter Edward “Ginger” Baker (19 August 1939 – 6 October 2019):
ManyFantasticColors 