Free The Black Man's Chains

Charly Records presents the first-ever reissue of Free The Black Man’s Chains – a rare and ambitious gospel-funk street opera from New York’s short-lived GSF label. Originally released in 1971 under the name Broad Street Gang, the project emerged from a trio of powerful singles: ‘Fair Skin Man’, ‘L-o-v-e Love’, and the title track.

Backed by an impressive lineup including Mitchell Rowe, Bobby Eli, Len Pakula, Daryl Hall, Ron Baker, Norman Harris, and The Raelettes, with strings arranged by Richie Rome, the album fused gospel, soul and street-level commentary into a visionary concept piece.

Despite its cinematic scope and musical pedigree, Free The Black Man’s Chains never received the promotion it deserved. Like many GSF titles, it was lost to obscurity when the label folded before its second anniversary. This long-overdue reissue restores a powerful and unjustly overlooked artefact of Black musical and political expression.