Throughout the seventies and into the early eighties, jazz-funk legend Brian Jackson collaborated with the late great Gil Scott-Heron on some of the most forward-thinking and socially conscious music of the decade, releasing tracks like “The Bottle”, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”, “Johannesburg” and numerous others. For the eighth installment in the breakthrough Jazz Is Dead series, Los Angeles based producers/multi-instrumentalists Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad have teamed up with Jackson for his first new album in 20 years.

This brilliant eight-track recording features a solid dose of funky mid-tempo instrumental grooves blended nicely with some soulful spiritual melodies. Written by Younge, Shaheed Muhammad, and Jackson, with the assistance of some stellar drumming and percussion work from Malachi Morehead, the session includes an array of instruments like organ, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, synths, electric bass and guitars, as well as some incredible flute playing from Jackson.

Even though Brian Jackson was an integral part of some of the greatest and most thought-provoking music during the seventies, he often is overshadowed by Gil Scott-Heron’s presence on those recordings and has not received the immense amount of recognition he truly deserves. Hopefully this superb new collaborative release will begin to change that and help shine a light on one of the great artists of our time.

Brian Jackson, Adrian Younge, & Ali Shaheed Muhammad — ‘Jazz Is Dead 8 (JID008)’
(Jazz Is Dead)

1. Under The Bridge
2. Mars Walk
3. Young Muhammad
4. Nancy Wilson
5. Baba Ibeji
6. Duality
7. Bain de Minuit
8. Ethiopian Sunshower

BUY RECORD

• Spiritual Jazz