Strut releases compilation celebrating the seminal spiritual jazz label Black Fire Records

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Strut releases compilation celebrating the seminal spiritual jazz label Black Fire Records

On the heals of Now-Again’s recent box set featuring five classic albums from the Black Fire record label, including the previously unreleased Live From The East session from Juju, London’s Strut records has just released a great new compilation, titled Soul Love Now: The Black Fire Records Story 1975-1993, celebrating the seminal spiritual jazz and conscious soul label.

Heavily influenced by black-owned independent labels like Strata-East and Tribe, the Black Fire label was formed by DJ and record producer Jimmy Gray, who resided out of Richmond, Virginia. Active from 1975 through 1993, this label featured a number of groundbreaking albums from the legendary spiritual jazz-funk group Oneness Of Juju (formerly known as Juju) featuring saxophonist James “Plunky” Branch, including the essential mid-seventies classic African Rhythms, as well the superb 1976 Afro-futuristic follow-up releases Space Jungle Luv and the 1980 disco Loft gem “Every Way But Loose”. Black Fire also released some great albums with artists like soul man Wayne Davis, early go go pioneers Experience Unlimited, Ghanaian master percussionist Okyerema Asante, and talented collectives including Southern Energy Ensemble and music / drama troupe Theatre West.

Even though each group are their own entity, the common thread between the music is the fusion of African-influenced rhythms, spiritual and modal jazz melodies, and soulful funk grooves.

This compilation is absolutely incredible from start to finish, including a brilliant live recording of Oneness Of Juju’s “African Rhythms”, Southern Energy Ensemble’s funky Afro-jazz cut “Third House”, Okyerema Asante’s head-nodding funk groover “Follow Me”. Other standout highlights on the compilation include an incredible collaboration effort with avant-jazz saxophonist/flautist virtuoso Byard Lancaster Tunde Kuboye’s Drummers Of Ibadan in Nigeria, Lon Moshe’s driving jazz dance classic “Doin’ The Carvin’ For Thabo”.

Unfortunately due to personal and cashflow issues, many of the 90s era releases from the label had to be canned, or they were only made available on CD, which makes this new compilation even more important. The 10-track record also features extended sleeve notes with extended interviews with musicians from the label and includes a reprint of one of the three Black Fire magazines published by Jimmy Gray which predated the launch of the label.

Overall, Strut has done a remarkable job of putting together a well-crafted compilation that helps shine a light on this under-the-radar, yet iconic label. Highly recommended, Soul Love Now is definitely a heavy contender for BeatCaffeine’s favorite compilation of 2020.