VARIOUS – Soul Love Now: The Black Fire Records Story 1975-1993 – LP – Vinyl

VARIOUS Soul Love Now: The Black Fire Records Story 1975-1993 LP Vinyl

Includes previously unseen photos, extensive sleeve notes and reprint of original Black Fire magazine

Strut present the first ever compilation bringing together classics and rarities from the seminal spiritual jazz and conscious soul label Black Fire, covering 1975 to 1993.

Formed by DJ and record producer Jimmy Gray in Richmond, Virginia, and following in the footsteps of other influential black-owned independent labels like Strata-East and Tribe, the foundation of Black Fire coincided with saxophonist James Plunky Branch returning to the city from New York to form Oneness Of Juju. The bands African Rhythms album in 1975 was the perfect fusion of jazz, deep African polyrhythms and empowering lyrics and bassist Muzi Branch, a trained artist, created the first of many Black Fire handillustrated sleeves for the labels debut release.

The album set the tone for a series of landmark releases on the label including Oneness Of Jujus Space Jungle Luv (1976) and debuts from soulman Wayne Davis (1976) and early go-go pioneers Experience Unlimited (1977). Gray continued to use his influence and strong A&R instincts to bring in more key artists great jazz players like Byard Lancaster and Hamiet Bluiett, Ghanaian master percussionist Okyerema Asante and collectives including Southern Energy Ensemble and music / drama troupe Theatre West. Due to personal and cashflow issues, many releases had to be canned and only later surfaced on CD during the early 90s

Soul Love Now brings together some of the many highlights from the label onto one essential compilation. Opening with Theatre Wests powerful soul message Children of Tomorrows Dreams, the tracks include a Byard Lancaster recording with Tunde Kuboyes Drummers Of Ibadan in Nigeria and Lon Moshes driving jazz dance classic Doin The Carvin For Thabo. Wayne Davis brings the explosive gospel rare groove Look At The People while Plunkys JuJu and Oneness Of Juju feature with three tracks spanning their career, including a storming previously unreleased version of the classic African Rhythms recorded in DC in 1975.

The release features extended sleeve notes features extended sleeve notes around the history of the label alongside interviews with featured musicians. The 2LP format includes a reprint of one of the three original Black Fire magazines published by Jimmy Gray which predated the launch of the label.

Tracklist

A1. Theatre West Children Of TomorrowS Dreams

A2. Oneness Of Juju Soul Love Now

A3. Byard Lancaster Drummers From Ibadan

B1. Lon Moshe Doin The Carvin For Thabo

B2. Juju Nia (Poem: The Complete Circle)

C1. Wayne Davis Look At The People

C2. Southern Energy Ensemble Third House

D1. Oneness Of Juju African Rhythms (Live In Washington DC, 1975)

D2. Experience Unlimited People