DJ Amir (aka Amir Abdullah), through his 180 Proof Records, has been officially reissuing and releasing previously unheard material from Strata Records for the past decade. Now with the help of London’s BBE Music, he has put together a brilliant compilation featuring some of the most essential tracks to have come out on the legendary 70’s Detroit jazz label.

Featuring 16 tracks over 3xLPs, this incredibly diverse selection of tracks from the label’s vaults includes everything from well-known favorites, to the more obscure and previously unreleased cuts. The music spans from spiritual grooves to soulful jazz-funk and beyond. Some of the many highlights include Kenny Cox’s 13-minute epic jazz dancer “Beyond The Dream”, Sam Sanders’ soulful “Face At My Window”, Larry Nozero’s cosmic gem “Tune For L.N.”, TJ’s bluesy demo recording “Time Is Wasting”, Ursula Walker’s rendition of Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage”, The Lyman Woodard Organization’s all-time 1975 classic “Saturday Night Special” and much more.

While compiling many of the label’s foundational tracks on this well-crafted release, Amir has not only put together one of the year’s best compilations, but also a “jumping off point” for listeners to dive deeper into important and influential label.

DJ Amir Presents — ‘Strata Records: The Sound of Detroit’ Vol. 1
(BBE Music / 180 Proof Records)

1. Kenny Cox — Beyond The Dream
2. Larry Nozero — Tune For L.N.
3. Sam Sanders — Face At My Window
4. The Soulmates Boone — People We Got to Do Better
5. The Contemporary Jazz Quintet — Noh Word
6. The Lyman Woodard Organization — Joy Road
7. TJ — Time Is Wasting
8. Maulawi — Root in 7/4 Plus
9. Fito Foster — Salsa Pt. 1
10. Ursula Walker — Maiden Voyage
11. TJ — You’re the One
12. Maulawi — Where Is The Place?
13. The Lyman Woodard Organization — Saturday Night Special
14. Sam Sanders — Inner City Player
15. Kenny Cox — Island Song
16. Mixed Bag feat. Ursula Walker — All But Blind

BUY RECORD

• Compilation
• Jazz
• Jazz Funk
• Spiritual Jazz