London’s Strut Records continues it’s brilliant series of releases exploring the vaults of Jimmy Gray’s now considered legendary Richmond, Virginia based label Black Fire Records with a highly in-demand reissue of Bow To The People by Dayton, Ohio theater collective Theatre West.

Upon returning from the Vietnam War, founder Clarence Young III, who had been a part of a theatrical troupe during his time in the military, established Theatre West in 1969, a Dayton theater company with the goal of providing a creative outlet for inner city youth in the region. Over time Young became widely respected as a playwright, and the theater collective grew to upwards of 27 incredibly talented individuals that eventually went on to perform on Broadway, and in groundbreaking groups like Gil Scott Heron’s Midnight Band and Slave. All the individuals could sing, play numerous instruments, as well as act. In 1971, Young received national accolades for his off-Broadway plays Perry’s Mission and The System, portraying black lives in America as life in a penitentiary.

In 1976, the collective recorded an album at Arrest studios in Washington featuring songs from several of Theatre West’s best known plays including Bow To The People, The System and Black Love. The themes of these selections explored serious issues around drug addiction, mental health and cultural awareness. The original session blends together cosmic grooves, spiritual jazz, and funk with heartfelt soulful vocals.

The album was unfortunately shelved following the recording, and then eventually surfaced on a limited CD on Black Fire more than a decade later in 1993. Now, 28 years later, the remarkable recording has been remastered and finally sees a vinyl release, which also includes the previously unreleased track “Man Of Many Means” (CD version includes unreleased track “I Don’t Know Much About Love”. 

Out of all the Black Fire Records releases, this record has become one of the label’s most in-demand recordings as it truly delivers on all levels. Thankfully we can now hear this mind-blowing recording on wax. Definitely one of the best reissues of the year!

Theatre West — ‘Bow to the People’
(Originally released: 1993 / Black Fire Records)
(Reissue: 2021 / Strut)

1. Searching for Ourselves
2. Crossroads
3. Bow to the People
4. Black Love
5. One Little Chance
6. Big Brother
7. Children of Tomorrow’s Dreams
8. No More Junk
9. Della Get Down
10. I Am a Woman
11. I Really Like It
12. Puppet
13. Cool Out Your Mind
14. Man of Many Means (Previously Unreleased)
15. I Don’t Know Much About Love (Previously Unreleased)

BUY RECORD

• Cosmic
• Jazz Funk
• Soul
• Spiritual Jazz