Frederiksberg Records unearths 70s spiritual jazz private press by Oakland ensemble
The superb New York-based Frederiksberg Records has unearthed and recently reissued an extremely hard-to-find mid-70’s spiritual jazz album from the Oakland ensemble The People’s People, titled The People’s People Present The Spirit Of David.
This remarkable four-track, 35-minute album was issued in 500 limited quantities in 1976, two years after its original recording. Composer, bandleader, and tenor saxophonist Jeff Jones demanded an extraordinary level of commitment from his ensemble, requiring each musician to devote three years of disciplined preparation exclusively to this project before entering the studio. That dedication paid off—when the time came, the group captured the entire album in a single take. The result is an expansive, deeply expressive work that fuses spiritual and cosmic jazz with traces of soul and funky fusion, while the track “Fritz” delivers moments vibrant enough to ignite any jazz dance floor.
The music on this recording holds deeply personal meaning for Jones. “Monica” was written for his firstborn, while “Q Street” reflects the road leading to the California Governor’s Mansion, where Jones once took part in protesting Prop 13, which imperiled the poor and middle class. “Where Is My Autumn Love” captures the atmosphere of a reflective walk around Oakland’s Lake Merritt, and “Fritz” draws inspiration from the hard bop spirit of the 1950s Miles Davis Quintet, infused with a dynamic range of styles including uptempo swing, free jazz, and Rhodes-driven funk.
Joining Jones on the session was guitarist Leonard Franklin, pianist Steve Espanosa, bassist Emmons Porter, drummer Jack Spinovich, and percussionist Ray Vega.
With original copies now selling for thousands of dollars, it’s exciting to see a proper, official reissue of this vital chapter in independent music and the Bay Area jazz story. Don’t wait, reissue copies of this timeless classic are selling fast!
The People’s People — ‘The People’s People Present The Spirit Of David’
(Originally released: 1976 / The Voice Of The People Record Co.)
(Reissued: 2025 / Frederiksberg Records)
- Monica
- Q Street
- Fritz
- Where Is My Autumn Love
