Jazz Room Records reissues Eric Ghost’s 1975 psychedelic jazz masterpiece ‘Secret Sauce’

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Jazz Room Records reissues Eric Ghost’s 1975 psychedelic jazz masterpiece ‘Secret Sauce’

Paul Murphy’s Jazz Room Records “puts a bow” on what has been a remarkable year of releases, with a recent reissue of flautist Eric Ghost’s highly-obscure 1975 psychedelic jazz masterpiece Secret Sauce.

A contemporary and best friend of legendary flautist Jeremy Steig, Eric Ghost’s (aka Richard Barth Sanders) self-released private press recordings have become much coveted over the years, however extremely difficult to obtain and often commanding high prices. In the early 1960s, he was strongly involved with the counter culture movement during his time in Morocco (while serving in the US Army). He eventually was convicted of LSD manufacturing and sentenced to 7 years in a federal prison. He is on record as the person responsible for inventing the blotting paper method of LSD distribution.

This incredible 6-track album features everything from flute led jazz-funk to spiritual psychedelic grooves and freeform improvisations. The album’s opener “Orangeland” is primed for the jazz dancefloor, while a number of the other selections take the listeners on an adventerous sonic journey.

Other musicians on the session, which includes duets, trios, and quartet arrangements, are Dave Valentin’s bassist Lincoln Goines, electric bassist Tom Hazlitt, pianist Bob Murphy, and percussionist Jim McGilveray, who also went on to record with Paul Horn and The Cult.

With originals hard to come by and now going for upwards of $100-200, it’s great to see this album receive an official reissue (with the correct track listing for the first time!). Definitely another essential Jazz Room Records’ release to add to your (hopefully) growing collection.