STRATA- EAST
CAT NO. SES- 19730
Re-mastering by: Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London
Handscapes is a double live album by The Piano Choir featuring Stanley Cowell, Nat Jones, Hugh Lawson, Webster Lewis, Harold Mabern, Danny Mixon, and Sonelius Smith recorded in 1972.
At the time of release Ebony reviewer Phyl Garland said "One needn't be a "piano freak" to appreciate a truly new recording. First of all imagine seven gifted and talented pianists sitting down to seven grand pianos (with electric piano, organ, harpsichord, a few tambourines for spice) and proceeding to tear up these instruments - musically, that is. ...the torrrent of sound springing from their 70 fingers is so powerful and majestic as to be unlike anything one has ever heard."
In his review for AllMusic, Michael G. Nastos simply states "Brilliant"
Tracklisting
Side A: 1. Jaboobie’s March 2. Straight No Chaser 3. Precious Lord
Side B: 1 Sanctum Saintorium 2. Nation Time 3. Effi
Side C: 1. Man Extensions
Side D: 1. The Almoravids 2. Killers
Personnel: Stanley Cowell, Nat Jones, Hugh Lawson, Webster Lewis, Harold
Mabern, Danny Mixon & Sonelius Smith variously on piano, electric
piano, vocals, percussion, African piano & Harpsichord.
Produced by The Piano Choir and Geri Hamlin
Recording engineer Robert Rachdorf
Mixing engineer: Don Van Gordon
Mixed and edited at Sound Wave Studios, New York City
Recorded October 28, 1972 except for “Precious Lord” on June 18, 1972.