Phil Ranelin stands the test of time from his humble beginnings in Indianapolis, Indiana to his invitation to New York City by Freddie Hubbard where he performed his trombone alongside Thelonious Monk, Kenny Dorham, Joe Henderson, and other inspiring players.
But after a brief stay in the Big Apple he landed in the Motor City of Detroit where his infamous cult-label and community known as Tribe was created. Tribe became a cultural phenomenon. It was a source of Black Pride and provided an opportunity for many in Detroit who would have otherwise been unemployed. It was a vehicle for musicians, artists, writers, and thinkers to rediscover their childhood dreams. The word Tribe possessed near magic proportion when uttered in the African American community, says Ranelin.
In 2004, Phil Ranelin surfaces with another beautifully crafted album on Wide Hive Records that fuses the youth with wisdom to create Inspiration. Inspiration offers up 10 tracks featuring Pharoah Sanders, Wendell Harrison, and Billy Harts son Lorca Hart.