Mad About Records is back at it, in what has already been a very active year for the Portugal-based label, with a welcomed official reissue release of the extremely obscure 1981 jazz-funk album from a Connecticut-based quintet called Quintessence.

Led by keyboardist Ron Ancrum with saxophonist and flautist George Sovak, trombonist David Gaedeke, bassist Steve Muse, drummer Winston Johnson and a variety of guest musicians, this brilliant 7-track recording is jazz-funk at it’s best, with some solid Fender Rhodes-based grooves, soulful horns, and a rhythm section that is deep in the pocket. These are the type of timeless recordings that you often find yourself shaking your head and asking, “how did this album fall so far under the radar initially.”

Fully Licensed by Ron Ancrum and remastered using the original tapes, Mad About Records has put together a well-crafted reissue. With copies of the original continuing to soar in pricing and become harder and harder to find, this is definitely one of the “must-own” releases of the year.

Quintessence — ‘s/t’
(Originally released: 1981 / Guitorn Records)
(Reissued: 2024 / Mad About Records)

1. Between Thoughts
2. Breeze
3. In My Apartment
4. Marketplace
5. Can’t Stop Now
6. Moments of Silence
7. Why Must I Go (Through These Changes)

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• Jazz
• Jazz Funk
• Reissue