The Southern University Jazz Ensemble – Live At The 1971 American College Jazz Festival

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This is the first-ever commercial releases of New Orleans’ legend Alvin Batiste’s Spiritual Jazz albums created with the college band he instructed and led in Baton Rouge. Originally given away as souvenirs at Southern University, the two albums contains deep Batiste originals and, on Live, are paired with excellent John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard covers. They are some of the most sought after albums of Americas 70s jazz underground.

Tracklist:

A1. Music Came
A2. Tunjii
A3. Straight Life
A4. North American Idiosyncrasy
B1. Milestones
B2. In My Solitude
B3. So What
B4. God Save Us A Song (A Negro Spiritual)

Personnel:

FLUTE
Henry Scott –
Arranger
CLARINET
Arthur Marcal –
Organ and Bell Drum
HARMONICA
Adrian Lanier
VOCALS AND SPECIAL EFFECTS
Ernest Jackson
Edward Perkins
ALTO SAXOPHONES
Vincent York – oboe, section leader
Willie Keyes – arranger
Roy Johnson – arranger
TENOR SAXOPHONES
Kirk Ford (award recipient)
Gerald Anderson
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Reginald Houston
(Award winner 1970) reciter
TRUMPETS
Raymond Deggs
Andrew “Candy” Gerrard
Kenneth Hardin
Walter Walker
Willie Tucker
Charles Randolph

BUSINESS MANAGERS
John Banks – Alto Saxophone
Kirk Stuart – Arranger, Pianist, Conductor Assistant
Alvin Batiste – Director, Clarinet, Arranger, Composer

PERCUSSION AND PROPERTY MANAGER
Clarence Acox

TROMBONES
Terral Jackson
Lloyd Oby (Award Winner)
Lester Williams – arranger
Clifford Landry
Nelson Jasmin
Nathaniel Brickens
TUBA
Robert Jackson
FRENCH HORNS
Wadie Ervin – arranger
Emanuel Billups
Gable Watkins – piano
PIANO
Henry Butler – Captain
ELECTRIC PIANO
Daryl Jefferson
BASS
Julius Farmer
Gibson Sewell
DRUMS
Herman Jackson
SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS
Emerson Bell
LIBRARIAN
Ernest Nation-trumpet
ANNOUNCER
Charles “Chuck” Siler

Credits:

This anthology produced, with an introduction by, Eothen Alapatt
Licensed by The Batiste Family
Liner Notes by Bret Sjerven
Mixing, mastering, restoration and remastering by Jason Bitner
Tape restoration and transfers by Dan Johnson for Audio Archiving
Vinyl transfers by Tanner McCrary
Art Direction by Errol F. Richardson

LP, Digital. 2023. NA5243.

The Southern University Jazz Ensemble – Goes To Africa With Love

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This is the first-ever commercial releases of New Orleans’ legend Alvin Batiste’s Spiritual Jazz albums created with the college band he instructed and led in Baton Rouge. Originally given away as souvenirs at Southern University, the two albums contains deep Batiste originals. They are some of the most sought after albums of Americas 70s jazz underground.

Tracklist:

A1 Samba Dee
A2 Ah Ja Ge Da Ba
A3 Clean Air
B1 Music Came
B2 Nanigo
B3 Holdin’ Meetin’

FEATURING:

Edith Batiste
Poet

James McElroy
Soprano Saxophone

Ernest Nation
Trumpet

Willie Singleton
Trumpet

Alphonso Rodriguez
Guitar

Charles Singleton
Bass

Antonio York
Organ

Richard Hunter
Percussion
Album Design

Herman Jackson
Drums

George Mitchell
Conga
Electronics

Juan Mosquera
Conga French Spanish
Monologue

Bennie Robertson
Conga

Marcia Batiste
Choreographer

Credits:

This anthology produced, with an introduction by, Eothen Alapatt
Licensed by The Batiste Family
Liner Notes by Bret Sjerven
Mixing, mastering, restoration and remastering by Jason Bitner
Tape restoration and transfers by Dan Johnson for Audio Archiving
Vinyl transfers by Tanner McCrary
Art Direction by Errol F. Richardson

LP, Digital. 2023. NA5244.

Galt MacDermot – Woman Is Sweeter

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The definitive reissue of HAIR composer Galt MacDermot’s quirky masterwork, the impressionistic soundtrack of filmmaker and photographer Martine Barrat’s film for designer Yves St. Laurent. Lacquered by Bernie Grundman in an all-analog transfer from the original master tape. Contains extensive oversized book with an essay on MacDermot’s life in music by his long time friend and Now-Again Records’ founder Eothen Alapatt; unpublished and rare photos. Officially-sanctioned Record Store Day release from Now-Again Records.

Tracklist:

1. Tango
2. Fragments IA
3. Fragments IB
4. Fragments II
5. Bass
6. Cathedral
7. Woman Is Sweeter
8. Moving Clothes
9. Bathtub
10. Radio Rock
11. Princess Gika
12. Merry-Go-Round
13. Space
14. Perfume Bottles

Personnel:

Galt MacDermot – keyboards
Bernard Purdie and Idris Muhammad – drums
Jimmy Lewis – bass
Charlie Brown – guitar
unknown violinist

Credits:

Produced for reissue by Eothen Alapatt.
Art direction and layout by Errol Richardson.
All-analog lacquer master/cut: Bernie Grundman.
Tape restoration: Dan Johnson.
Licensed from MacDermot Music, with thanks to Vincent and MaryAnne MacDermot.
Original sessions produced by Galt MacDermot and others.

LP, Digital. 2023. NA5242.

DJ Muggs – Notes & Tones

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Notes & Tones – the album: produced by DJ Muggs, made with samples from Sun Ra. There will be a limited-edition of two (2) wine-filled LPs, plus black vinyl.

Following the launch of their Holy Ghost wine and record pairing, DJ Muggs and Egon have teamed up with California’s Broc Cellars and its winemaker Chris Brockway for Notes & Tones: Deep natural wine meets deep jazz and rap samples on vinyl.

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. What Planet
3. Liquid Diamonds
4. Notes & Tones, Skulls & Bones
5. It’s Spring Again
6. Third Planet
7. Space Is The Place
8. There Are Other Worlds
9. Who’s Your God?
10. His Story
11. Quiet Ecstasy
12. Nebula
13. Rocket To Venus
14. Time Is An Illusion

Credits:

Produced by DJ Muggs
Executive Produced by Egon
Mixed by DJ Muggs
Mastered by Sam Kingston
Recorded at Soul Assassins Studios, Los Angeles
Artwork by Ayis Lertas
Art Layout by Hypnotized Studios

LP, Digital. 2023. SAR027.

Del Jones – Court Is Closed

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This is the 23rd release in the deluxe Now-Again Reserve Edition Series.

Court is Closed, equal parts psychedelic rock and deep funk, had a limited release of 500 copies and was rarely heard before Jones overdubbed horns on the album, remixed and augmented it with additional music, and issued it as the better-known Positive Vibes. Here we present both versions of the album, with a bonus LP containing Jones’ rare 7-inch single tracks and rehearsals, including unreleased tracks heard here for the first time.

Tracklist:

LP 1: Court is Closed (1973)

A1. Court Is Closed
A2. Inside Black America
A3. Times Are Hard, Friends Are Few
B1. Prelude To Hell
B2. Needle N’ Spoon

LP 2: Del Jones’ Positive Vibes (1973)


C1. Vibe-ing Theme
C2. Prelude Ta Hell
C3. Needle ‘N Spoon
C4. Cold Turkey
D1. Soul Of Black Folks
D2. Court Is Closed
D3. Inside Black America
D4. Times Are Hard, Friends Are Few

LP 3, Side 1: Singles & Rehearsal Tapes

E1. Mellow Vibes
E2. The Last Letter
E3. Afro-Funky-Isms
E4. Big Feet (Philly Raggae)
E5. Synthetic Me (Parts I and II)
E6. Brother Where Are You?
F1. Court Is Closed
F2. Attica
F3. Flute Jam
F4. Positive Vibes

Personnel:

-Court Is Closed –

Produced and Arranged by Del Jones
Assistant Production by Barry Hawkins, A. Deac Jones, Benny R. Mitchell
Photography by Stan Robinson
Personnel: Del Jones: Vocals; Tyrone Fisher: Guitar; Sam Brown: Guitar; Benny R. Mitchell: Bass; Jim Milton: Drums; Wayman Jones: Conga, Timbale, Miscellaneous Percussion, Backing Vocals; Len Cooper: Conga, Timbale; Leslie Burrs: Flute; Deke Jones: Backing Vocals.
Music and Lyrics by Del Jones, Hikeka Music, BMI.
Recorded circa 1972 at Regent Sound, Philadelphia by Dave Hewitt.
Originally released in 1973 on Hikeka Records HR-3331.

-Del Jones’ Positive Vibes –

Produced and Arranged by Del Jones
Additional Arrangements by Benny R. Mitchell
Assistant Production by A. Deac Jones,
Music Supervision by Herbie Jones
Music Direction by Benny R. Mitchell
Original Album Design by Tim Sanders and Deborah Simpson
Original Dedication. This album is dedicated to: Mr. & Mrs. Stan Robinson & Family, Mr. & Mrs. Simeon C. Jones Ben Jones & Family, Sim Jones & Family, Bro. Deac, Brother Karim, Bill Hawkins & Family, Ms. Ethel & Family, Lee Cultural Center, Ms. Johnnye Patterson, Ms. Madlyn Morris, Uncle Herbie & Family, Mr. & Mrs. Wilson Rodgers, Mr. & Mrs. Dan Tyler, My Daughters Dawn & Dale, My Son Del Nyerere, My Queen Bernita, and to all the Musicians who gave all to you, for me; plus you who struggle and you who will struggle tomorrow.
-Brother Del Jones.

Personnel: Del Jones: Vocals; Tyrone Fisher: Guitar; Sam Brown: Guitar; Benny R. Mitchell: Bass; Jim Milton: Drums; Wayman Jones: Conga, Timbale, Miscellaneous Percussion, Backing Vocals; Len Cooper: Conga, Timbale; Leslie Burrs: Flute, Tenor Saxophone; Deke Jones: Backing Vocals.
With Overdubs by: Tim Sanders: Guitar; Don Wilson: Keyboards; Joe Bryant: Conga; Bob Eure: Conga; Herbie Jones: Trumpet; George Kelly: Trombone; Joe Jefferson: Tenor Saxophone; Earl Swanson: Tenor Saxophone; Bertie King: Alto Saxophone; Edward Pizzaro: Baritone Saxophone.
Music and Lyrics by Del Jones, Hikeka Music, BMI.
Original sessions recorded circa 1972 at Regent Sound, Philadelphia by Dave Hewitt.
Overdubs recorded circa 1973 at Electric Lady, Manhattan, by Bernie Kirsh.
Originally released circa 1974 on Hikeka Records HR-3331, DM 68474.

Credits:

This anthology produced by Eothen Alapatt.
Licensed by Wayman Jones.
Liner notes by Jeremeigh A.M. Kergylle (fka Jeremy Cargill), with contributions and editing by Eothen Alapatt.
Restoration and remastering by Jason Bitner.
Tape restoration and transfers by Dan Johnson for Audio Archiving.
Vinyl transfers by Ben Lowrie.
Art direction by Errol Richardson.

LP, Digital. 2022. NA5218.