Over the last several years, Nimbus West, who released some of the greatest recordings to come out of the spiritual Jazz scene in Los Angeles during the late 70s and early 80s has been diving deep back into it’s vaults and unearthing a number of incredible sessions. Most recently, they have issued saxophonist Billie Harris‘ masterful 1980 album I Want Some Water on vinyl for the first time.

This incredible four-track recording, which originally was first released only on CD in 1999, features a superb cast of musicians, many who played on legendary pianist, composer, and bandleader Horace Tapscott‘s 1969 gem The Giant is Awakened, including Tapscott on piano, David Bryant on bass, Everett Brown Jr. on drums, Daoud Woods on percussion, and vocalist Lorelei. Throughout the four outstanding tracks, the session blends together soulful spiritual jazz melodies with driving backing grooves, and often funky percussion rhythms that is very much in the same vein as the Tapscott led Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra albums that were recorded around the same time.

Limited to just 500 copies, the vinyl pressing was cut directly from the original master tapes, and features brand new and improved artwork based off of photos from the original sessions, and also included insightful liner notes from Mark Weber.

After 40+ years since it was first recorded, this spiritual jazz masterpiece finally sees an official vinyl release, which will hopefully result in Billie Harris and this brilliant session, finally receiving the attention it absolutely deserves. Highly recommended!

Billie Harris — ‘I Want Some Water’
(Recorded in 1980 / Originally released: 1999 via CD)
(Nimbus West Records)

1. Prayer Of Happiness
2. I Want Some Water
3. The Advocate
4. Blues For Lupé

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• Jazz
• Reissue
• Spiritual Jazz