Fridaze Jazz Cuts

Were going to kick of a new blog posting each week entitled Fridaze Jazz Cuts that will focus on and highlight some of our favorite recording artists, forthcoming releases, DJ Mixes, Re-issues and live performances etc all Jazz related to help share the love of the genre.

To get the ball rolling and since I’m currently (and have been) going through a major Sun-Ra phase lets take a look at one or two pieces which are a good place to start if your looking to extend or pursue your interest in Ra’s extensive and exhausting catalog of music. Jazzman recently put out a limited edition box set entitled ‘The Shadows Cast by Tomorrow’ which was a great little collection of Sun Ra’s cosmic power and early recordings on 7”. Its a great place to start but if you weren’t one of the lucky ones who managed to purchase one then don’t fret, another great recording of his and also an album that got me hooked on his talent was the ‘The Antique Blacks‘ release which is just incredible and also one which the good folks at Kindred Spirits have re-issued recently enough along with Ra’s – Paris Tapes, On Jupiter, Sleeping Beauty & Disco 3000. All great places to start with Sun-Ra’s catalogue and to me are timeless recordings. Check them out! But for now here’s one of my personal favorites and recommends by Sun Ra that I never stop playing…’When There Is No Sun’ of the New Steps LP on Horo Recordings (one which Simon S re worked recently).

Another release I’ve only just got my hands on this month is the Horo – A Jazz Portrait Compilation that’s been compiled by fellow ‘jazzer’ Gilles Peterson. Horo is a legendary jazz label based in Italy that had some serious spiritual jazz based releases coming out during the 70s. Very hip stuff indeed – this compilation is mind blowing. This is the first time Horo’s catalog has been re-visited since then and one which everyone should own. Highlights include Nuraghi” by Santucci Scoppa (which can be listened to below) & “Pastoral” by Giancarlo Barigozzi. There isn’t a better compilation that will come out this year in my opinion.

Here’s another release this month to take note of and one that is certainly worth investing your money in. Madlibs High Jazz project is part of Stones Throw’s Medicine Show releases that have been coming out over the course of the year. This comes in 2 different packages. Cd format which consists of 15 tracks & 12-page booklet. Running time for this is 61:28. The other format? Yes every-ones favorite – vinyl. Limited edition. 3rd disc contains 32 minutes of music not available on the CD or digital release. LP covers silk-screened by Hit+Run. Running time for this: 93 min. This LP can be currently picked up at All-City and is certainly not to be slept on. Madlib nails it every time on the Jazz tip.

Thats it for now, I’ll have more nuggets and recommends for you next week on our Fridaze Jazz Cuts post. I’ll leave you all with one random nugget from the Crusaders entitled ‘Mystique Blues’ that will feature on our forthcoming To Each One Teach One Podcast by myself (Digable Planets -Reachin…) Peace!