Philip Cohran Vinyl Records Lps For Sale
Check out these new and used Philip Cohran vinyl records LPs for sale. We recommend starting your Philip Cohran vinyl collection with the essential albums Armageddon, African Skies and On The Beach. Our inventory is always changing, so check back often, or browse our list of vinyl records for sale from jazz musicians.
Kelan Philip Cohran and The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Philip Cohran: Cosmic Visionary of Chicago’s Jazz Underground
The Genesis of a Maestro
Philip Cohran was a musician, composer, bandleader, educator, and cultural force who played a major role in shaping the sound and spirit of Chicago’s avant-garde jazz scene. Known for his innovative instrumentation, Afrocentric philosophy, and commitment to community empowerment, Cohran was a key bridge between the celestial jazz of Sun Ra, the politically charged soul of the 1960s, and the future-facing work of artists like Earth, Wind & Fire and his own musical family. Though he never reached the commercial fame of some of his peers, Cohran’s impact runs deep across genres and generations.
Born in Mississippi in 1927 and raised in Missouri, Cohran (pronounced CO-run) was drawn to music from an early age. He studied trumpet and later became proficient on multiple instruments, including the violin, French horn, baritone saxophone, and a self-invented stringed instrument called the Frankiphone (or Space Harp), modeled after the African mbira. This desire to experiment with sound and cultural tradition defined his entire career.
Cohran rose to greater visibility in the late 1950s and early ’60s as a member of Sun Ra’s Arkestra, performing on pivotal recordings such as Angels and Demons at Play and Fate in a Pleasant Mood. His time with Sun Ra shaped his spiritual and musical philosophy. Like Sun Ra, Cohran viewed music as a vehicle for transformation—both personal and political. But unlike his former mentor, who drifted into space mythology and abstract symbolism, Cohran kept his feet planted in the real struggles of Black communities in Chicago.
After parting ways with Sun Ra in 1961, Cohran became a leading figure in Chicago’s experimental jazz movement. In 1965, he co-founded the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), a collective that promoted original composition and improvisation rooted in African American cultural expression. The AACM would go on to influence countless jazz artists, including the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Anthony Braxton, and Henry Threadgill.
That same year, Cohran formed the Artistic Heritage Ensemble, a band that fused jazz, funk, African rhythms, and spiritual themes. The group became a cornerstone of Chicago’s South Side scene, performing at community events, political rallies, and cultural centers. They wore African garments on stage and incorporated dance, poetry, and ritual into their performances, reflecting Cohran’s belief in music as a holistic, cultural force.
Notable Albums by Philip Cohran
- The Malcolm X Memorial (A Tribute in Music) (1968)
Perhaps Cohran’s most well-known recording, this album is a deeply moving tribute to the slain civil rights leader. Combining solemn brass chorales, African percussion, and soaring improvisation, the suite evokes both mourning and resilience. It stands as one of the most powerful musical memorials of the 20th century. - On the Beach (2007)
This long-unreleased gem features live recordings from 1968, capturing the Artistic Heritage Ensemble at their most vibrant. Tracks like “Unity” and “Black Beauty” showcase the group’s blend of funk grooves, spiritual overtones, and communal energy. It’s a vital snapshot of a revolutionary moment in jazz history. - African Skies (1993)
A later-career album that revisits many of Cohran’s core ideas with clarity and depth. Featuring the Frankiphone prominently, African Skies is meditative, melodic, and rooted in African diasporic sound. It reflects his lifelong mission to reconnect Black Americans with ancestral traditions through music. - Frankiphone Blues (2010)
An exploration of Cohran’s signature instrument, this album is both experimental and soulful. Its layered textures and hypnotic rhythms reveal his ability to blur the lines between jazz, world music, and spiritual expression. - Kelan Philip Cohran and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (2012)
This collaborative album with his sons—the members of Hypnotic Brass Ensemble—is a multigenerational fusion of funk, jazz, and Afrobeat. It’s a joyous celebration of legacy and forward motion, filled with bold brass lines and percussive drive.
Who He Influenced
Philip Cohran’s influence stretches far beyond his discography. As a teacher and mentor, he guided generations of musicians toward greater creativity and cultural awareness. His sons, who form the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, are among his most direct artistic heirs, carrying his sound into contemporary jazz, hip-hop, and funk settings. They’ve performed and recorded with artists like Mos Def, Erykah Badu, and Prince, often citing their father as their primary influence.
Cohran also left a mark on the formation of Earth, Wind & Fire. Maurice White, the band’s founder, studied Cohran’s music and philosophy in Chicago, and traces of Cohran’s emphasis on Afrocentricity, spiritual uplift, and showmanship are deeply embedded in EWF’s sound and visual style.
The broader AACM community, too, owes a debt to Cohran’s vision. He championed self-determination in music—encouraging artists to build their own institutions, create original work, and view music not just as entertainment, but as a tool for liberation.
A Lasting Legacy
Philip Cohran passed away in 2017, but his music and ideas continue to resonate. He stood at the intersection of jazz, African tradition, social justice, and education. His work challenged both artists and audiences to think deeper, listen closer, and engage with the world through sound. More than a musician, he was a philosopher of rhythm, a community builder, and a messenger of ancestral knowledge.
Though he may not have enjoyed mainstream fame, Cohran’s legacy lives in the grooves of records, the teachings of the AACM, and the sound of modern genre-blending bands. His music remains a beacon for those who believe that art should reflect identity, history, and the collective spirit of a people.
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1 by ONE High Fidelity Belt Drive Turntable with Built-in Speakers, Vinyl Record Player with Magnetic Cartridge, Bluetooth Playback and Aux-in Functionality, Auto Off
$219.99 (as of July 16, 2025 06:25 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black, Hi-Fidelity, Plays 33 -1/3 and 45 RPM Vinyl Records, Dust Cover, Anti-Resonance, Die-Cast Aluminum Platter
$199.00 (as of July 16, 2025 07:26 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player,3-Speed Turntable with Stereo Speakers Vintage Phonograph Record Player, with RCA Line Out AUX in Headphone Jack (Brown)
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1 by ONE Belt Drive Turntable with Bluetooth Connectivity, Built-in Phono Pre-amp, USB Digital Output Vinyl Stereo Record Player with Magnetic Cartridge, 33 or 45 RPM
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Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT-BK Fully Automatic Wireless Belt-Drive Turntable (Black) (ATLP60XBTBK)
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Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK Direct-Drive Turntable (Analog & USB), Fully Manual, Hi-Fi, 3 Speed, Convert Vinyl to Digital, Anti-Skate and Variable Pitch Control Black
$449.00 (as of July 16, 2025 06:29 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Eversolo Play | 110W Music Streamer with Amplifier & DAC | 5.5" LCD Touchscreen, Support Room Correction & Multi Room HiFi Audio System, Stream Qobuz, Tidal&More | Black (CD Edition)
$799.00 (as of July 16, 2025 06:29 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
