Due to popular demand, the Portuguese-based Mad About Records has reissued, for a second time, Reggie Andrews and The Fellowship’s highly obscure 1969 spiritual jazz masterpiece Mystic Beauty. The first pressing of this reissue sold out very quickly last year, following it’s late July release.

For over five decades, Andrews has been a highly influential musician, teacher and mentor among the Los Angeles music scene. He was the keyboardist and one of the founding members of the jazz fusion group Karma, and has produced records by Patrice Rushen, Terrace Martin, Ndugu Chancler, the Dazz Band, and Moacir Santos to name a few, while also collaborating with Earth, Wind & Fire, Donald Byrd, J Dilla, The Pharcyde, and numerous others. He is also the father of rising soul singer-songwriter Nia Andrews, who released her own full-length debut, No Place Is Safe, in 2019.

The late sixties Mystic Beauty recording, which was originally released by the small independent label H.M.E., was actually the only album Andrews released under his own name. Backed by a septet, this nine-track recording is very soulful in it’s overall sound, mixing together elements of deep spiritual grooves, Latin and Afro-Cuban percussion influences, layered horn melodies, and modal jazz.

With original copies going upwards of $3,000, it’s not surprising that the first pressing of the reissue quickly sold out. Worthy of “holy-grail” status, this brilliant album is an absolute essential chapter of Los Angeles’ underground and fruitful jazz history, and kudos to Mad About Records for making it available again, for even a second time. That being said, I would snatch up a copy as soon as possible, as this second pressing will surely sellout quickly.

Reggie Andrews & The Fellowship — ‘Mystic Beauty’
(Originally released: 1969 / H.M.E.)
(Reissued: 2019 & 2020 / Mad About Records)

1. Mystic Beauty
2. Song For J
3. Sir Lady
4. Sweet Stuff
5. Ah Na Na
6. Chant
7. The Debonaire
8. Look Of Love
9. Everyman’s Brother

BUY RECORD

• Reissue
• Spiritual Jazz