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 | ||||
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Live album by | ||||
Released | 30 March 1970 | |||
Recorded | 15 January 1970 | |||
Venue | Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington, London | |||
Genre | Jazz-rock, Afro-fusion, blues rock | |||
Length | 78:02 | |||
Label | Polydor (UK & Canada) Atco (US) | |||
Producer | Ginger Baker & Jimmy Miller | |||
Ginger Baker's Air Force chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Christgau's Record Guide | D+[2] |
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]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Da Da Man" | Harold McNair | 7:16 |
2. | "Early in the Morning" | Traditional; arranged by Ginger Baker | 11:13 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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3. | "Don't Care" | Baker, Steve Winwood | 12:32 |
4. | "Toad" | Baker | 12:59 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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5. | "Aiko Biaye" | Remi Kabaka, Teddy Osei | 13:00 |
6. | "Man of Constant Sorrow" | Traditional; arranged by Denny Laine | 3:50 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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7. | "Do What You Like" | Baker | 11:47 |
8. | "Doin' It" | Baker, Ric Grech | 5:26 |
Chart (1970) | Peak position |
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UK Albums (OCC)[4] | 37 |
US Billboard 200[5] | 33 |