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Freedom, Rhythm and Sound - Revolutionary Jazz Cover Art 1960 - 1978

Compiled by Gilles Peterson, Stuart Baker.

The momentum of the 1960s civil rights movement and the explosion of Rock music and the underground press in that decade impacted Jazz in amazing ways, both musically and culturally. Years before Punk, musicians like John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Don Cherry, The Art Ensemble of Chicago and others took control of their work by recording, releasing and distributing their music themselves, often in runs as low as 500 copies. As a result, Jazz music got a whole new look.

The record sleeves of this era (roughly 1965-1979) are as iconic and historically unique as the music itself, which, in the wake of innovations by Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor, boldly abandoned tonal anchors for the wilder shores of improvisation, incorporating Gospel, Asian, Rock and electronic influences. Soul Jazz Records has issued many releases relating to this music, and Freedom, Rhythm and Sound is the first ever collection of this fascinating goldmine of album art, which represents the first wave of inspired independent production within popular music.

The book provides a large introduction contextualizing the music and artwork, as well as interviews with many of the people involved. Alongside the musicians mentioned above, these include Kelan Phil Cohran, Charles Tyler, Steve Reid, Mary Lou Williams, Horace Tapscott, Lloyd McNeil, Phil Ranelin, Marcus Belgrave, Paris Smith, Jayne Cortez, Joe McPhee, Weldon Irvine, Shamek Farrah, Cecil McBee, Stanley Cowell, Tribe, The Last Poets, The Pharoahs and many others. 30 years on, their works are exemplary in their untamed DIY energy and graphic boldness.

Coming soon from Soul Jazz

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Dub Echoes - Directed by Bruno Nadal

'Dub Echoes' is a newly produced film about Dub, featuring an incredible array of artists, both original Jamaican artists - U Roy, King Jammy, Lee Perry, Sly Dunbar, Bunny Lee (to name a few), alongside a similarly awe-inspiring array of artists who have been taken Dub into new directions in electronic dance music - Kode9, Roots Manuva, Howie B, Adrian Sherwood and many more. Directed by Bruno Natal over a three year period, this is a killer film to be watched over and over again! covering Dub in all its different guises. The DVD comes with loads of extra features, dub mixes and more. Essential!

DVD avaialble on pre-order from >> Sounds of the Universe <<

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Les Stance a Sophie - Directed by Moshe Mizrahi (1970), featuring The Art Ensemble Of Chicago

“Les Stances a Sophie” has been out of print for over 30 years and this is its first release ever outside of France. Filmed in Paris in 1970, this fully-subtitled film features killer music, groovy clothes and post-1968 revolutionary ideals.This super-rare film is now perhaps best known for its soundtrack from the legendary Art Ensemble of Chicago (who also feature in the film).

DVD avaialble on pre-order from >> Sounds of the Universe <<