Diana In The Autumn Wind

Description

The mythical and influential album by Gap Mangione, Diana In The Autumn Wind, also known as BEWITH200LP, is unquestionably the Holy Grail of Be With. It was said to be impossible. And rightly so. We have spent the last twelve years trying to obtain the rights to this legendary 1968 recording from Gap and, after much effort, here it is at last. Remarkably, this is the very first vinyl reissue of Diana In The Autumn Wind by Gap Mangione, produced with Gap's full and complete participation. An extremely rare album, it has been coveted for decades by fans of funk, soul, jazz, and hip-hop samples. It is undeniably the most sought-after album by collectors of J Dilla and Madlib samples. It has also been brilliantly sampled by A Tribe Called Quest, Large Professor, Ghostface Killah, Kendrick Lamar, and Talib Kweli. But this record is much more than a mere curiosity for sample collectors. It is a true gem. Overflowing with irresistible funky-jazz grooves and tracks elevated by warm electric piano, this opus is notable for the presence of exceptional musicians at the dawn of their careers: Tony Levin, at 21, whose masterful playing on acoustic and electric bass was the harmonic pillar of the trio, and Steve Gadd, at 23, one of the greatest drummers of his generation. While copies in decent condition of this mythical record sell for £400, calling this reissue "essential" is an understatement. Gap's story is told by himself, accompanied by rare photos, in a sumptuously designed two-page insert. And to top it all off, this deluxe edition is presented in a beautiful rigid sleeve, made without skimping on quality, just like the extremely rare original version. And since we're talking about packaging, look at this sleeve: a work of art in its own right. The tracks are short but complex, with an extraordinary rhythm section that supports Gap's magnificent piano, organ, and electric piano work. It's like the greatest funk record of all time that you've never heard, but that all your favorite golden-age rap producers appropriated long ago. It's a striking blend of the vibrant, driving music of the Gap Mangione Trio, combined with the sensitive composition and superb orchestration of Gap's legendary brother, Chuck Mangione, who managed to orchestrate an amalgam of seemingly disparate elements into a spectacularly cohesive whole that has aged remarkably well. The opening track, "Boy With Toys," starts with a bang, with its big band brass, flutes, and virtuosic organ. The synthesis of all these elements is simply breathtaking. Rap luminaries nod in agreement—notably Talib Kweli, who laid his flow over DJ Scratch's sampled intro for "Shock Body" on his 2002 album Quality. Under the watchful eye—and extremely attentive ear—of Gap Mangione himself, the audio of "Diana In The Autumn Wind" has been carefully remastered by Simon Francis. The sleeve restoration was done right here at Be With headquarters, restoring it to its full glory.