At a time of deep reflection on the 21st Century; of our very lives, of our values, and of the art that is of value, Ropeadope takes a step back to the beginning. While the label began in 1999, it is clear that the 600 albums released in the last 20 years mark a reflection of the times; a chronicle of musical evolution from a centralized marketing machine to a wide field of independent artistic creation. The Philadelphia Experiment stands as the definitive Ropeadope album; three titans of the scene in the studio with producer Aaron Levinson making music on the fly, answering only to their muse and the subject; Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Experiment was met with wonder and acclaim, fusing influences with respect for the legacy and an adventurous spirit. Young artists would look to this album as a starting point, a realization of what is possible. And yet it also stands as a historic document that defines a method of independent creation that defines Ropeadope to this day, and inspires musicians to simply create.
It is with this sense of history that Ropeadope celebrates 20 years since the June 2, 2001, release of The Philadelphia Experiment. A limited run of 1000 Double Vinyl LP’s will be pressed (plus 10 test pressings). With original 2 inch tape lost to time, the audio has been gently remastered from digital files for optimal Vinyl sound by G & J Audio. The lacquer will be etched with a blockchain transaction id, and each copy will carry a unique QR code entitling the buyer to a non-fungible token (NFT) specifically minted for the project as a permanent certificate of ownership. This will be the first time that NFT’s are directly linked to physical Vinyl LP’s.
1. Philadelphia Experiment 04:15
2. Grover 04:57
3. Lesson #4 02:52
4. Call For All Demons 05:26
5. Trouble Man Theme 04:31
6. Ain’t It The Truth 06:10
7. Ile Ife 05:04
8. The Miles Hit 05:45
9. (Re) Moved 02:06
10. Philadelphia Freedom 03:09
11. Mister Magic 03:33
12. Just The Two Of Us 03:58
Uri Caine / Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Steinway Grand Piano and Hammond B-3 Organ
Ahmir Thompson / Drums
Christian McBride / Electric and Acoustic Bass
with
Pat Martino / Electric Guitar on (1) (2) and (4)
Jon Swana / Trumpet on (1) and (5)
Larry Gold / Cello & Arranger on (10)
Aaron Luis Levinson / Handclaps and SFX on (2) and (9)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Andy Blackman Hurwitz
PRODUCED BY: Aaron Luis Levinson
ENGINEERED BY: Jon “Iron Man” Smeltz and Jim Bottari
SECOND ENGINEER: Carlos “Storm” Martinez
ASSISTANT ENGINEERS: Gordon Goss & Jim Bottari
RECORDED & MIXED at The Studio, Philadelphia, PA. from September 25-27, 2000
All songs mixed by Aaron Luis Levinson and Jon Smeltz except: “Philadelphia Experiment” and “Grover” mixed by Uri Caine, Aaron Luis Levinson and Jon Smeltz, and “Philadelphia Freedom” mixed by Jim Bottari
ASSISTANT MIX ENGINEERS: Krystof Zizka and Gordon Goss
This entire jawn was recorded and mixed within the analog universe by the Iron Man. This entire jawn was mastered and tweakified into the digital universe by Mike “The Wizard” Fossenkemper.
REMASTERED BY: G&J Audio, Union City, NJ.
DESIGN: David Bias
PHOTOS: Candice DiCarlo
Ahmir Thompson appears courtesy of MCA Records
Christian McBride appears courtesy of The Verve Music Group
Uri Caine appears courtesy of Winter & Winter Music
Pat Martino appears courtesy of Blue Note Records
Jon Swana appears courtesy of Criss Cross
