Back catalogue: Jazz

Review: In celebration of 50 years in the performing arts, Idris Ackamoor presents Artistic Being for Record Store Day 2025-a powerful blend of jazz, spoken word and activism. Featuring the voices of acclaimed actor Danny Glover and stage legend Rhodessa Jones, this record captures highlights from the Underground Jazz Cabaret, which was performed during Black History Month 2024 at The Lab in San Francisco. Co-produced by Ackamoor's Cultural Odyssey, the release fuses poetic storytelling with evocative musical textures while reflecting on social justice, identity and resilience. Artistic Being is a profound statement from a visionary artist.

Review: Mulatu Astatke's 1972 album Mulatu of Ethiopia stands as a seminal work introducing listeners to the innovative sounds of Ethio-jazz. Born out of Mulatu's unique blend of Ethiopian melodies with Western instruments and influenced by his experiences in Boston and New York, the album exudes a captivating fusion of styles, as Mulatu's mastery of the vibraphone, paired with organ, flute and horns creates a mesmerising sonic landscape across seven tracks. Straying from traditional Ethiopian vocal-centric music, Mulatu's instrumental compositions showcase his singular vision. The album's reissue provides a deeper understanding of its creation, with additional outtakes revealing the bandleader's meticulous direction and experimentation. Over the years, Mulatu's influence has extended beyond jazz, inspiring artists across genres and spurring renewed interest in his timeless work.

Review: Strut's reissue of Experience Unlimited's 1977 debut Free Yourself offers a fresh dive into a seminal record that paved the way for Washington D.C.'s go-go scene. Originally released in 1977, this album fuses soul, jazz, and funk-rock, showcasing the band's eclectic and pioneering style. Formed in 1973, Experience Unlimited caught the eye of Black Fire Records' Jimmy Gray after a school talent show victory. Bandleader Gregory "Sugar Bear" Elliott recalls their early days in the studio with a sense of youthful spontaneity, capturing their genuine selves. Free Yourself reflects this spirit with its vibrant and varied tracks. From the soulful reflections of 'Peace Gone Away' to the funk-driven 'Funky Consciousness' and the nascent go-go grooves of the title track, the album radiates positive energy and innovation. The reissue preserves the original artwork, including Malik Edwards' cover painting, and features remastering by The Carvery. Accompanied by a new interview with Sugar Bear and rare photos, this edition brings a crucial piece of music history back into the spotlight.

Review: Jazz has always been as much about great collaborations as anything else and that is very much the case with the modern scene. Proving that is Flock, a new coming together of five talented musicians Bex Burch from Vula Viel, Maisha's Al MacSween, Sarathy Korwar, Dan "Danalogue" Leavers and Collocutor's Tamar Osborn. They got together for the first time in March 2020 for a Boiler Room show and some memorable streams during lockdown. Strut Records were listening in and managed to get them in the studio together to try something fresh. The resulting improvised sounds focus on "breathing and listening to each other", explains Bex Burch. It makes for a wild, innovative ride.

Review: Acclaimed pianist Greg Foat is a mainstay of the current UK jazz revival thanks to works on Jazzman and Athens of the North. He draws on soul and library music for his inspiration and serves up lush symphonies that are rich in detail, layer and emotion. This new album, which makes use of pedal steel for the first time, goes even more widescreen in its approach and includes powerfully uplifting tracks like "Anticipation" as well as more sensual and slower groovers and languid movers like "Island Life." It is the sound of an artist and composer at the very peak of his powers.

Review: Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids' Shaman! is a bold and adventurous new record. It is a study in jazz that takes cues from myriad different sounds and scenes. Sub-Saharan jazz, Afrobeat, free-jazz, Afro-Cuban music, spoken word, and more all colour in the tracks which have been written by a large cast of musicians. The album was recorded din London and features Pyramids co-founder Simmons on flute, longtime band member Sandra Poindexter on violin, plus guitar from Bobby Cobb, and three new members from Europe in Jack Yglesias, Ruben Ramon Ramos, and Gioele Pagliaccia. It makes for an expressive but introspective world that draws you deep into its midst, where you will be oh so happy to get lost.

Review: Strut's latest release is a freshly remastered edition of Juju's influential 1974 album Chapter Two: Nia which is bound to excite those looking for a nice copy of this unique record. This reissue shines a spotlight on Juju's unique fusion of Afrocentric jazz and black nationalist poetry, recorded during a transformative period for the band. Founded in San Francisco and relocated to New York in 1972, Jujuiled by James "Plunky" Branchiimmersed themselves in the avant-garde scene, performing at notable venues like Slugs and Ornette Coleman's loft. By 1974, the band had moved to Richmond, Virginia, seeking a creative refuge from New York's high living costs. They settled into what they called the Juju Raga Artist House, a cultural hub that also functioned as the state's first black arts gallery and performance space. Chapter Two: Nia, recorded at Eastern Recording Studios, reflects Juju's commitment to Afrocentric themes and includes a freeform rendition of Pharoah Sanders' 'Black Unity.' The reissue retains the original artwork, adapted from a concert video by Collis Davis, and has been remastered by The Carvery for enhanced sound quality. It also features new liner notes from Plunky Branch, offering deeper insights into the band's revolutionary impact and creative journey.

Review: Strut proudly presents the first official remastered reissue of Lafayette Afro Rock Band's funk/Afro classic, Soul Makossa from 1973. Originally known as the Bobby Boyd Congress, the seven-member Afro-American ensemble relocated from the U.S. to France in 1971. After lead singer Bobby Boyd returned to the US, the group rebranded as Ice and collaborated with producer Pierre Jaubert, whose credits included work with Charles Mingus and John Lee Hooker. Inspired by Motown's work ethic, Jaubert initiated daily rehearsals, leading to the band's unique sound. Immersed in Paris's African-dominated Barbesse district and frequently performing with Cameroonian composer Manu Dibango, the group evolved into Lafayette Afro Rock Band, embracing a heavier, more intricate Afro-funk style. Their debut album, Soul Makossa, featured a dynamic rendition of Dibango's classic, alongside the intense break of 'Hihache' and the infectious 'Nicky.' This meticulously crafted remaster by The Carvery from the original tapes includes the full original artwork, celebrating an iconic album's legacy.

Review: Strut proudly presents the first official remastered reissue of Lafayette Afro Rock Band's elusive funk/Afro original album, 'Malik,' originally released in 1974, on Limited Edition coloured vinyl. In 1971, the seven-member Afro-American ensemble, initially known as the Bobby Boyd Congress, moved from the U.S. to France. Bandleader Frank Abel recalls, With lead singer Bobby Boyd's return to the US, the group rebranded as Ice and collaborated with independent producer Pierre Jaubert, who had worked with legends like Charles Mingus and Archie Shepp. Inspired by Motown's work ethic, Jaubert initiated regular rehearsals with Ice. The band, immersed in Paris's African-dominated Barbes district, began infusing African elements into their music, often performing with Cameroonian composer Manu Dibango. As the Lafayette Afro Rock Band, they shifted to predominantly instrumental compositions with a dense Afro-funk sound. Their debut as Lafayette included 'Soul Makossa' and the impactful break in 'Hihache.' A year later, 'Malik' refined their sound with tracks like the percussive 'Conga,' atmospheric 'Djungi,' and robust 'Darkest Light.' Though initially limited in impact, 'Malik' gained appreciation as hip-hop culture flourished in the 80s, becoming a rich source of samples. This remastered reissue, crafted by The Carvery from the original tapes, has the full album and original artwork.

Review: This is a special sampler 12" taken from the Various Artists compilation Defend Your Planet that Avoidant Records put out. It features a heavyweight crew of electro mainstays, first of which are The Advent & Zein Ferreira. Their 'Defend Your Plane' is a turbo powered cosmic assault with skewed synths and high speed drums. Assembler Code's 'Line Of Sight' doesn't let up, powering on through sheet metal snares and juddering drum programming and then man like Carl Finlow layers in prickly melodies, dark sci-fi energy and booming bass. Analogue master Versalife shits things down with the shadowy 'SH09.'

Review: Acclaimed South African folk singer Vusi Mahlasela joined forces with singer songwriter Norman Zulu as well as the superb Swedish jazz and soul collective Jive Connection for this album back in 2002. It was thought to be a lost recording until it recently showed up and now gets fully revived by Strut. There are strong political links between these countries which no doubt adds weight to this musical link up. It is a great exchange of cultures from parables to laments on child abuse to tunes that fuse reggae, jazz and post-punk with township styles.

Review: The reissue of Oneness Of Juju's 1976 album Space Jungle Luv stands as a crucial addition to the Black Fire Records reissue series. When James "Plunky" Branch founded Oneness Of Juju in 1975, he had already spent years engulfed in the vibrant jazz scenes of both coasts. The group, previously known as Juju, was deeply rooted in New York's avant-garde jazz scene. However, upon relocating to Richmond, Virginia, Plunky gathered a fresh ensemble, blending African rhythms with funk and r&b. This lineup produced two of their most acclaimed albums, African Rhythms and Space Jungle Luv. This era marked the band's peak, with Space Jungle Luv embodying a shift towards a more serene, spiritual sound. The album showcases Lady Eka-Ete's enchanting vocals and guitarist Melvin Glover's celestial tones. Plunky's vision for this record was influenced by artists like Pharoah Sanders, aiming to deliver a message of spiritual upliftment through "space music, jungle music, love songs." Tracks like 'River Luvrite' and 'Follow Me' explore themes of unity and exploration.

Review: Given the sheer amount of material released by spiritual jazz maestro Sun Ra over the years - 120-odd albums and counting - it can be hard for new listeners to know where to start. Gilles Peterson and Strut have come up with an answer: a two-LP Sun Ra primer, which casts a critical eye over his whole career in order to gather together some stone cold aural gold. Peterson has long been a Sun Ra obsessive, and does a superb job in representing the different sides of his career. Check, for example, the doo-wop sweetness of "Dreaming" (a 1955 collaboration with The Cosmic Rays), the African influenced weirdness of "Adventure Equation", and the outer-space brilliance of "Cluster of Galaxies".

Review: This record is the end of five years of hard work by the Strut label and Art Yard. It is a first-ever Detroit Artists Workshop Retrospective across two slabs of vinyl with jazz legends like Donald Byrd, Bennie Maupin, Yusef Lateef and more all making the cut. The music comes from lots of hard research in the archives of author, DJ and activist John Sinclair. The end product is this glorious retrospective of the influential Detroit Artists Workshop with tunes that span from 1965 to 1978.

Review: Strut's 2024 reissue of Sun Ra's Lanquidity, an iconic 1978 release, celebrated for its fusion of cosmic jazz and avant-garde experimentation. Recorded in a single night at Bob Blank's studio, the album shows off the rich Arkestra's blend of sound with eight horns, four percussionists, and electric guitars.'There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of)' stands out as a hypnotic, dream-like piece that subverts traditional forms with its blend of ambient and vibrant passages. The album is a standout in Ra's extensive catalog for its fusion-inspired, freeform approach. The single LP version includes five tracks, akin to the original. Starting with the smooth, cosmic exploration of 'Lanquidity,' is like a celestial mapping akin to an Ancient Egyptian stargazing ceremony. 'Where Pathways Meet' follows with a funky, march-like rhythm reminiscent of a Pharaoh's pep-talk, showcasing Ra's unique fusion of Egyptian motifs and jazz. The groove deepens with 'That's How I Feel,' featuring reflective trumpet lines and intricate solos. 'Twin Stars Of Thence' highlights Richard Williams' celebrated bass with its funky, elastic rhythm. The album closes with the haunting 'There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of),' a piece steeped in space music that poet Mama Nzinga likened to a journey through the essence of light and deep space.

Review: Shut has been busy with a great series of reissues of Sun Ra's historic recordings in Egypt. All good things must come to an end, though, and so it does with The Sun Ra Arkestra meets Salah Ragab in Egypt which was recorded with help from the Cairo Jazz Band and first put out back in 1983 on Greek label Praxis. The Arkestra first met Salah Ragab at the home of Goethe Institut ex-pat Hartmut Geerken when they toured the island in December 1971 and later bonded again in 1983. It was then that they got together for these recordings where they played Ragab compositions, 'Egypt Strut' and 'Dawn' amongst others.

Review: Politically charged Motor City jazz collective Tribe has undergone something of a career rebirth in the last few years. The releases they played, produced and put out on their Tribe Records imprint in the '70s are rightly revered, but the truth is that they've made equally as good music since getting back into the studio in 1990 - as this brilliant retrospective from Strut proves. The ten-track set contains both released material and previously unheard recordings, with highlights including a fantastic new version of "Juba" featuring Harold McKinney and his "McKinfolk" musicians, a daring new version of Tribe member Phil Ranelin's "He The One We All Knew" and the spiritual rallying cry that is "Marcus Garvey".

Review: Strut's definitive vinyl edition of Nigeria 70 brings fresh vitality to a landmark compilation first released in 2001. This collection, renowned for its role in popularizing 1970s Lagos music, remains a vital exploration of Afro funk and Afro jazz, showcasing a vibrant cross-section of Nigerian music that extends beyond Fela Kuti's legacy. The reissue offers a rich tapestry of sounds that captured Nigeria's dynamic musical landscape. Starting with Monomono's 'Loma Da Nigbehin,' the album dives into deep, rhythmically complex Afrobeat grooves. Fela Kuti's iconic tracks 'Upside Down' and 'Jeun Ko Ku (Chop 'n' Quench)' highlight the revolutionary funk that defined the era, while Tony Allen's 'No Discrimination' from 1980 exemplifies the genre's evolving sophistication. The compilation's strength lies in its diversity. Tracks like Ofo & the Black Company's 'Allah Wakbarr' and BLO's 'Chant to Mother Earth' introduce psychedelic rock influences, while Joni Haastrup's 'Greetings' and Shina Williams & His African Percussionists' 'Agboju Logun' infuse disco and electro-funk elements into the Afrobeat foundation. William Onyeabor's 'Better Change Your Mind' offers a glimpse into how Nigerian artists engaged with global funk and synthesiser sounds. Nigeria 70 is a great example to the innovative spirit of Nigerian music in the 1970s, reflecting a rich interplay of local and global influences.