With his bold tone and adroit harmonic ideas, trumpeter Charles Tolliver has distinguished himself as a forward-thinking performer, often straddling the line between hard bop lyricism and avant-garde exploration. Following his initial emergence in the 1960s as a member of altoist Jackie McLean's group, Tolliver came into his own as a leader, on par with his trumpet contemporaries Woody Shaw and Freddie Hubbard. Collaborating regularly with pianist Stanley Cowell, he moved from small group dates like 1969's The Ringer to expansive big-band albums such as 1975's Impact, featuring his Music Inc. ensemble. Along the way, he and Cowell also founded Strata-East Records, releasing a string of boundary-pushing albums by Gil Scott-Heron, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Harper, and others. Following a period out of the spotlight and teaching, Tolliver re-emerged to regular activity with 2007's Grammy-nominated big-band album With Love. He has remained a vital presence, moving from big-band dates like 2009's Emperor March: Live at the Blue Note to hard-hitting small group sessions like 2020's Connect.

For the first time ever, Charles Tolliver’s Live at Slugs’, Volumes I & II will be released together in one set, presenting the full power of these historic performances in a unified collection. Recorded live in 1970 at the legendary Slugs' in New York City, the albums feature Tolliver’s fiery trumpet alongside an all-star lineup: Strata-East co-founder Stanley Cowell on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Jimmy Hopps on drums. These high-energy recordings capture the raw intensity and innovation of the Music Inc quartet, showcasing their technical brilliance and cohesive interplay.

Remastered in stunning detail, this release unites two of the most celebrated live albums in jazz history for the first time on CD and digital platforms, as well as on 180-gram vinyl. Pressed at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) and mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, the vinyl edition comes in high-quality, glossy tip-on gatefold jackets. It also includes new liner notes by Marcus J. Moore and never-before-seen photos, making this release a must-have for jazz enthusiasts and collectors alike. — via Label