At Long Last !!

I can not tell you how long I have waited to own a physical vinyl copy of this record. Once, I got into a vicious bidding war on Ebay for it. When it inevitably hit above the $400.00 mark, I had to gracefully bow out; I had reached my predetermined limit. Oh, how disappointed I was. This album (which was only available in original pressing, at the time) almost NEVER came up for sale. Well, a little over a year ago, I became friends with the son of Bubbha Thomas (William Thomas, who's quite the musician, himself. Check out Bayou City Brass Band) and he informed me that all of his dad's 70's albums would be reissued in the coming year. Hearing that warmed my vinyl heart. This album, and Energy Control Center are, to me, the best that Lightmen have to offer. And, DAMN, do they offer the best Spiritual Jazz. The BEST!! Here it is, in MONO ...

The Lightmen 

Plus One

Fancy Pants

1971

Liberation Music !!

The track 'Martin Was a Man, a Real Man' by Oliver Nelson nearly brings me to tears. This compilation of Flying Dutchman revolutionary, "Power to the People" music is incredible. Some songs you'll most likely be well familiar with. Others, not so much. Hopefully, this album will move you as it did me. Enjoy ...

Liberation Music:

Spiritual Jazz and the

Art of Protest on Flying

Dutchman Records

Various Artists

1969-1974

Fulfillments !!

Well, you all certainly asked for some great music. Some of which, I am just now learning about. Just another reason that I like to ask for requests: you guys teach me a lot about music; believe me! On that note, I can only fulfill two specific albums. Guitarradeplastico definitely has me curious about these Kisa albums, and that Bill Cosby presents sounds really good, but I don't have it. However, I do have a pretty wicked jam session album that Bill Cosby & Quincy Jones did together. I think it'll suffice, for now. Please, keep the requests coming. And, if you have anything you'd like to share with us on An Ism, send it my way. If you want to do so anonymously, you can private message me here. Again, the sharing and learning of music is what drives this blog. Enjoy ...

Walter Hawkins

Love Alive

1975

Bill Cosby & Quincy Jones

The Original Jam Sessions

1969

Francis Lai

13 Jours en Frances

1968

Requests !!

Any requests? Re-ups or particular albums/ artists/ genres? 

Lemme know! Leave a comment 😇

Sandance !!

Wow! I am absolutely diggin' this album. There's so many fantastic elements to soak up. This album reminds me of Mtume Umoja Ensemble's ‎Alkebu-Lan, or The Ensemble Al-Salaam's ‎The Sojourner. Leroy Vinnegar (Glass Of Water) happens to play bass on this, so you knows it's gonna be good. It's ever so worth your time to grab this. Enjoy ...

The Al Williams

Quintet Plus One

1976

Just for fun, here are three Soul Jazz mixes I've thrown together. Grab 'em if you want. Don't if ya don't :)

Two from the Sun !!

 Both of these albums have been occupying my car speakers, as I drudge myself back and forth from work. Two from the Sun for you ...

Sunbirds

(self titled)

1971

Ramsey Lewis

Sun Goddess

1974

Windows !!

"Quite a slick jazz guitar album with a very moody night time vibe! It kind of reminds me of a Wes Montgomery record in the way the guitars are recorded in such a grainy (yet fitting) way, only with a bit more tense guitar playing by Jack Wilkins. It's probably best known for the song "Red Clay", which was cleverly sampled by Q-Tip in A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight Marauders" (another album with a great night life vibe!) that has a sick bass line and a hypnotic chord progression. The other songs still stand well on their own, such as the lethargic cover of Coltrane's "Naima", contrasting to the fast paced "Canzona". The songs aren't too long or too short and the whole album clocks in at around a half hour, delivering a solid debut for Jack Wilkins."

-review from Allmusic.com

Jack Wilkins

1973