Melodies International ‘Record Club’ kicks off with two jazz dance classics selected by Four Tet
London-based reissue label Melodies International, run by Floating Points (aka Sam Shepherd) and Mafalda, have just launched their Melodies Record Club series featuring “mini compilations” in a twelve-inch format selected by notable DJs and artists. The series kicks off with a bang, with highly-acclaimed and innovative producer and DJ Four Tet (aka Kieran Hebden) selecting two peak-time jazz dance classics that he used to spin regularly at the now legendary Plastic People nightclub in London.
Side A features a never-released-before extended 12-plus minute version of “De I Comahlee Ah” by jazz greats saxophonist Jackie McLean and drummer Michael Carvin. The original 11-minute 42-second version of the track was originally featured on the duo’s superb 1975 Steeplechase album Antiquity. The full extended version of the track, featured here on this new twelve-inch single, was slightly edited down because the track didn’t fit on the album. Steeplechase has granted Melodies International the rights to finally make it available on this exclusive release.
On the flip, the jazz dance vibes continue with “MRA”, an incredible swingin’ big band selection from Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood Of Breath. Originally featured on the group’s stellar 1970 debut, the large ensemble is made up of some of the best jazz musicians from both London and South African, including trumpers Mongezi Feza and Harry Beckett, saxophonists Dudu Pukwana and John Surman, trombonist Malcolm Griffiths, bassist Harry Miller, drummer Louis Moholo and others. Music Journalist Richard Williams, who had originally reviewed the band in the 1970s, described the group’s sound, “They made music that appealed in equal measure to the head, the heart and the feet, taking the jazz legacy of Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus and adding to it the fantastic dance rhythms and gorgeous harmonies of the townships and untethered collective improvisations of the new free music”.
With two hard-to-find jazz dance gems, Melodies International and Four Tet have kicked off this exciting series with an absolute must-own twelve-inch. With future releases being curated by Hunee, Mafalda, Floating Points, Anya & Julia from Javybz, Daphni, Josey Rebelle, Charlie Bones, Red Greg, Gilles Peterson, and more, there is a lot to be excited about with this ‘Melodies Record Club’ series.
Various — ‘Melodies Record Club #001 | Four Tet Selects’ 12″
(Melodies International)
A SIDE: Jackie McLean & Michael Carvin – De I Comahlee Ah (extended)
B SIDE: Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood Of Breath – MRA
