I was very sad to hear that singer Fontella Bass passed away at the age of 72 yesterday. Mostly known for her 1965 soul hit "Rescue Me", she also contributed on a number of Lester Bowie, who she was married to until 1978, and Art Ensemble of Chicago recordings during the seventies and eighties. One of the more notable collaborations that took place between Bowie, his group AEOC, and the soul singer took place in 1970 on the motion picture soundtrack album Les Stances A Sophie. The record's opening track "Theme De Yoyo" blends together AEOC's typical avant-garde free jazz explorations with Fontella's soul-inspired vocals resulting in, what many consider, one of the group's most praised tracks. After her short-lived time with AEOC ended, she continued to guest appear on many of Bowie's albums including The Great Pretender in 1981 and All The Magic! two years later in 1983. Even though she will probably also be remembered for her chart-topping "Rescue Me", I will always be moved more by some of her collaborative work she did with Lester Bowie and the Art Ensemble of Chicago.
Rest in Peace, Fontella Bass.
Art Ensemble of Chicago feat. Fontella Bass - Theme De Yoyo
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