Les Stances a Sophie (2009)

item info

category: movies > dvds

director: Moshe Mizrahi

studio: Soul Jazz Records

year: 2009

genre: Music & Musicals

number of discs: 1

region: 1

item description

“Les Stances a Sophie” has been out of print for over 30 years and this is its first release ever outside of France. Filmed in Paris in 1970, this fully-subtitled film features killer music, groovy clothes and post-1968 revolutionary ideals.This super-rare film is now perhaps best known for its soundtrack from the legendary Art Ensemble of Chicago (who also feature in the film). To coincide with this DVD, Soul Jazz are also re-issuing the Art Ensemble of Chicago “Les Stances a Sophie” on CD as well as a one-off super-luxury US- heavy card gatefold limited edition LP edition (strictly limited to 1000 copies).


The album (and DVD) features the epic “Theme de Yoyo”, the Art Ensemble of Chicago’s finest ever moment featuring the soaring vocals of Fontella Bass and the super=heavy funk drums of then current newcomer to the Art Ensemble Don Moye. The Art Ensemble of Chicago were living in Europe in 1970 when the film was made along with a host of other US jazz émigrés such as Archie Shepp, Ornette Coleman and more. The DVD also features an hour long interview with Art Ensemble member Joseph Jarman where he talks about the making of the film as well as the history of The Art Ensemble, The AACM in Chicago and more.