London’s Jazz Room Records, run by iconic London DJ Paul Murphy, continues it’s string of essential releases with a recent limited-edition reissue of Shamek Farrah And Folks‘ nearly impossible-to-find 1978 funky spiritual jazz album La Dee La La, featuring trumpet great Malachi Thompson of Chicago’s influential collective AACM.

Prior to the release of La Dee La La, saxophonist Shamek Farrah released two landmark spiritual jazz recordings First Impressions and The World of the Children for the now legendary Strata-East label. For this incredible 1978 four-track session, which originally came out on Ra Records in 1980, the music is nice blend of spiritual melodies, layered horns, South African grooves, Latin-influenced percussion and funky rhythms. The record also features the jazz dancefloor classic “Waiting For Marvin”, however the record is remarkable from start to finish.

With originals going for upwards of $300 and more, it’s nice to see that Paul Murphy and company have made this album a bit more accessible. That being said, reissue copies are limited and selling fast, and therefore I recommend snatching up a copy as soon as possible. Highly recommended!

Shamek Farrah And Folks — ‘La Dee La La’
(Originally released: 1978 / RA Records)
(Reissued: 2021 / Jazz Room Records)

1. La Dee La La Song
2. Waiting For Marvin
3. The White Lady
4. And Along Came Ron Rahsaan

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• Jazz
• Jazz Dance
• Spiritual Jazz