Artist: High Risk
Album: High Risk
This reissue: 2019 Jazz Aggression
Emanating the spiritual freedom of the 70s with their mixture of jazz, folk and blues, the soul-jazz form charges the politically fuelled lyrics for a standout album.
From an all-female band consisting of Virginia Rubino (of BeBe K'Roche fame) on keys, Cyndy ”Cynth” Mason Fitzpatrick (of flutemedicine fame) on saxes and flute, Bobi Jackson on bass and Sandy Ajida on percussion. The album features 6 original tracks including the full mix of Common Woman with all 6 poems by critically acclaimed poet and author Judy Grahn, who also contributed to the new liner-notes.
Available here
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Artist: Phil Ranelin
Album: The Time Is Now!
This reissue: 2019 Tribe / Pure Pleasure
The Time Is Now is a vanguard jazz record, full of the spirit, determination, and innovation inspired by John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Cecil Taylor, Pharoah Sanders, and Archie Shepp. Recorded in 1973 and 1974 and released at the end of 1974, the set shows Ranelin to be an imposing composer and frightfully good trombonist. The original album contained six compositions that are a deep musical brew of avant-garde improvisation, hard bop jazz esthetics, and soulful melodic ideas that were superimposed as a jump off point for both harmonic and rhythmic invention.
Available here
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Artist: Wendell Harrison
Album: An Evening With The Devil
This reissue: 2018 Tribe / Pure Pleasure
Something to push your perceptions - this record is one for those willing to take the plunge. Drawing straight from their collective experience, Wendell Harrison and his group The Tribe force you to lean into discomfort from the get go, meandering into 'justice' eventually. The music reflects the stress, tension and discords that took place within their community along with the positive and harmonious things that happen alongside. The relationship between art and culture, the total vibrations, both positive and negative, are amplified: the message is heavy but for those who are dedicated, the healing force of the universe that is Music will never fail to elevate.
"The compositions we play are reflective of the music of our times whereby we play Jazz, Rock, and African music with its poly or many rhythms. I wrote all the tunes on this particular L.P. and it is written as a suite in 5 movements which means that the music can be performed along with poetry and dancers." - Liner Notes
Available here
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Artist : Matthew Larkin Cassell
Album: Pieces | 1977
This Reissue: Out-sider | 2018
One of those rare / overlooked records that you have to thank re-issue labels for bringing back to the spotlight. This 1977 gem by Bay Area songwriter, Matthew L. C brings that mellow, laid-back Funk and Soul-Jazz grooves for your listening pleasure. Think of Steely Dan mixed with that dreamy Roy Ayers sound and you will get Pieces – A true salute to the emotion of Nostalgia and Hopefulness. Not exactly in that classic box of the genre Soul Jazz, Pieces still represents those soulful and Jazzy qualities that we love, so we figured why not in our Top 5! Sampled by the likes of Madlib & MF Doom, some of the heaviest diggers out there – further goes to show that this LP is not to be missed. Highly recommended – Check it out!
Available here
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Artist : Doug Hammond & David Durrah
Album: Reflections In The Sea Of Nurnen | 1975
This Reissue: Pure Pleasure Records | 2018
A special session from the legendary Tribe Records Scene with the combined effort from leader Doug Hammond and keyboardist David Durrah. Goes deep in this one, mixing the sound of acoustic instruments, synthesizers, Rhodes and vocal chants, experimenting and expressing a liberating sound. The groove on this LP comes through as pure instinct, even during the quiet moments, topping it off with some class melodies reminiscent of the late Gil Scot Heron. Remastered and resissued via Pure Pleasure Records, this is a record that is usually overlooked at the vault, so here it is! Highly recommended.
Available here