Biography
Phil Clendeninn, a New York-based session musician, directed Tarika Blue, a lyrical and highly melodic fusion/jazz-funk ensemble that maintained a modest following, chiefly on the East Coast, during the 1970s. Clendeninn’s group never reached the same level of recognition as Lonnie Liston Smith & the Cosmic Echoes, yet clear parallels existed between the two East Coast outfits. Both favored a spiritual, mystical sensibility that drew from acoustic post-bop while incorporating elements of soul, funk, pop, and rock. Tarika Blue shared the Cosmic Echoes’ regard for modal post-bop figures such as John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Charles Lloyd, and Yusef Lateef; like Smith, Clendeninn was a pianist and keyboardist shaped by Tyner’s style. Neither leader was a jazz purist, however; both embraced electric instruments and remained attuned to developments in R&B and rock. Although each band supplied accessible instrumentals alongside vocal pieces, Clendeninn consistently chose female vocalists where Smith often featured his brother Donald Smith.
A native New Yorker, Clendeninn assembled Tarika Blue around 1973 while studying at Syracuse University in Upstate New York and frequently traveling back to the city. The core trio consisted of Clendeninn, bassist Barry Coleman, and drummer Kevin Atkins, with additional contributors including tenor saxophonist Marvin Blackman, soprano saxophonist Justo Almario, guitarist James Mason, and Japanese-born guitarist Ryo Kawasaki. Among the group’s female vocalists were Tequila, previously associated with drummer Tony Williams’ Lifetime, along with Lisa Fisher, Irene Datcher, and Dolores Smith. In 1974 Clendeninn encountered Hank O’Neal, president of the independent New York label Chiaroscuro Records. Although O’Neal’s catalog centered on hard bop and swing, he made an exception for Tarika Blue and co-produced the self-titled debut album in 1976 and the follow-up, The Blue Path, in 1977. The first release was entirely instrumental, whereas The Blue Path showcased vocals by Irene Datcher and Dolores Smith. Between 1974 and 1975 Clendeninn also performed with the disco/soul/funk unit the Big Apple Band, whose lineup included guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards, the pair who would later form Chic and achieve renown as producer-songwriters.
Tarika Blue never completed a third album, yet interest in the group’s recordings persisted long after its dissolution. Urban contemporary and neo-soul artist Erykah Badu sampled the track “Dreamflower” for her 2001 hit “Didn't Cha Know,” and the British jungle/drum’n’bass/electronica act the Underwolves also drew from the same recording. In 2002 Chiaroscuro reissued both 1970s albums on a single CD through its Downtown Sound imprint.
A native New Yorker, Clendeninn assembled Tarika Blue around 1973 while studying at Syracuse University in Upstate New York and frequently traveling back to the city. The core trio consisted of Clendeninn, bassist Barry Coleman, and drummer Kevin Atkins, with additional contributors including tenor saxophonist Marvin Blackman, soprano saxophonist Justo Almario, guitarist James Mason, and Japanese-born guitarist Ryo Kawasaki. Among the group’s female vocalists were Tequila, previously associated with drummer Tony Williams’ Lifetime, along with Lisa Fisher, Irene Datcher, and Dolores Smith. In 1974 Clendeninn encountered Hank O’Neal, president of the independent New York label Chiaroscuro Records. Although O’Neal’s catalog centered on hard bop and swing, he made an exception for Tarika Blue and co-produced the self-titled debut album in 1976 and the follow-up, The Blue Path, in 1977. The first release was entirely instrumental, whereas The Blue Path showcased vocals by Irene Datcher and Dolores Smith. Between 1974 and 1975 Clendeninn also performed with the disco/soul/funk unit the Big Apple Band, whose lineup included guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards, the pair who would later form Chic and achieve renown as producer-songwriters.
Tarika Blue never completed a third album, yet interest in the group’s recordings persisted long after its dissolution. Urban contemporary and neo-soul artist Erykah Badu sampled the track “Dreamflower” for her 2001 hit “Didn't Cha Know,” and the British jungle/drum’n’bass/electronica act the Underwolves also drew from the same recording. In 2002 Chiaroscuro reissued both 1970s albums on a single CD through its Downtown Sound imprint.
Albums
