I absolutely love when listening to ‘70s funk albums feels like a personal discovery. And 24-Carat Black is one of the most brilliant gems unearthed from the rich history of funk. 🎆

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The group ‘24-Carat Black’ release only one album in 1973: “Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth”—a soul-funk masterpiece, widely regarded as one of the earliest concept records in the genre. Sadly, by the mid-70s, they vanish from the music scene, but that one album endures as evidence of their creative ambition.

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Dale Warren is the key figure behind the formation of the band. A conservatory-trained violinist and cellist, he works for Stax Records at the time, doing arrangements and orchestrations for many, including Isaac Hayes and The Staple Singers. And all the while, he dreams of creating a classical, funk, and soul synthesis. In 1969, he attends a performance of a band then called The Ditalians. He retrains the band, shaping a new repertoire for them, and gives them their new name: 24-Carat Black. 😎

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In 1973, the group records "Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth" under Dale Warren’s strict supervision. Every note is written and produced by him, with the goal of creating something far more complex than the typical funk music of the day. In striking contrast to the more lively, danceable funk that dominates the charts, this conceptual album is a rare experiment in the genre that aims to highlight the social realities of poverty and urban struggle. With her strong, soulful voice, Princess Hearn is the focal point of their sound, bringing the suffering, resiliency, and hopelessness of "Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth" to life.

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The album spans 57 minutes over eight tracks, each one contributing to a dark, cinematic narrative about urban poverty. Synopsis One: In the Ghetto, the first song, sets the mood with its moody orchestrations and a funk groove that’s dense with feeling. The title track, Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth, pulls the listener deeper into this concept with hypnotic rhythms, mournful lyrics, and a meditative groove. Mother's Day, on the other hand, carries a heavier emotional burden as it tells the struggles from a family's perspectives. Poverty's Paradise is the song where the band truly ventures into experimental area, fusing symphonic, funk, and soul components to create an intensely felt, avant-garde composition. Dale Warren uses complex arrangements that are influenced by his classical training throughout the record, yet he maintains the funk style with raw vocals and rhythmic bass lines.

 

The songs are far from the radio-friendly funk hits of the day, both in message and also in length—Dale Warren refuses to cut them down to fit commercial formats, believing the integrity of the message will be lost. This decision, while artistically noble, means the album struggles to reach a mainstream audience. His refusal to conform to mainstream expectations, combined with Stax Records’ financial difficulties at the time, dooms the album’s promotional efforts. The album is simply too progressive for its time, both in its experimental composition and its strong message. That being said, "Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth" is a fascinating musical creation that blends soul, funk, pop, and rap. The music is highly original for its day. 

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My particular favorites are the jazzy groover "24 Carat Black Theme," the funky concluding track that is such a soulful fusion, and the gloriously spacey 12.40-minute groove "Poverty's Paradise," where Princess Hearn and Ernest Lattimore sing together in a beautiful requiem. 💎​​

Gülben - 09/2024

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📖 Corbin Reiff talks to Author Zach Schonfel about 24-Carat Black for SonicBreadcrumbs

📗  Zach Schonfel’s Book: 24-Carat Black's Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth (33 1/3) 

📖  Album Review @ qobuz

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