Words by Justin Turford
If you’re only going to buy one jazz compilation this spring (who only buys one?) then this highlights reel of the short-lived but highly influential Strata label by label curator, 180 Proof founder and spinner DJ Amir (Abdullah) should be in contention. A digital release only, there are twenty three essential tracks of at turns raw, slick, funky, weird and spiritual jazz from the Detroit label’s archives with some only reissued once before on the label that is playing host to this release, the mighty BBE or never released at all.
From Kenny Cox’s cosmic Beyond The Dream’, the soul jazz vocals and rare groove of Sam Sanders’ ‘Face At My Window’ to the street dirt and danger of ‘Saturday Night Special’ by the immense Lyman Woodard Organization this is a collection of deep flavours and widescreen ambition. The city of Motown, P-Funk and garage rock shared that industrial grime and tension and the jazz musicians of Strata and later on the legendary Strata East didn’t flinch away from their hometown’s struggles when creating their art. This isn’t jazz for coffee tables, there is attitude. Lots of it. The stripped down and surprisingly contemporary sounding guitar and vocal sound of TJ’s ‘You’re The One’ is real unrefined soul music, Maulawi’s Space Is The Place afrocentricism sits next to the buzzsaw salsa of Fito Foster while Ursula Walker’s live sounding version of ‘Maiden Voyage’ really lays this classic Herbie Hancock tune bare.
It’s a hell of a compilation and while I’m sat here listening to it whilst writing, I’ve changed my mind, this is the ONLY jazz collection to buy this spring. You won’t regret it… 10/10
OUT NOW ON BBE RECORDS! CHECK THE LABEL PAGE FOR FULL STRATA ALBUM RELEASES!