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book with an essay on MacDermot’s life in music by his long time friend and Now-Again Records’ founder Eothen Alapatt; unpublished and rare photos.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.

The Stark Reality Discovers Hoagy Carmichael’s Music Shop

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This is the definitive reissue of The Stark Reality’s Discovers The Hoagy Carmichael’s Music Shop (1970), lacquered by Bernie Grundman in an all-analog transfer directly from the master tapes. Contains extensive, oversized page booklet with rare photos, liner notes and annotation.

Tracklist:

A1 Merry Go Round
A2 Junkman’s Song
A3 Thirty Days Hath September
A4 The Whale
A5 The Old Prospector
B1 Grandfather Clock
B2 Cooking
B3 Shooting Stars
B4 Rocket Ship
C1 Dreams
C2 Blue Pillow
C3 Swing High
C4 Clouds
C5 Traveling
D1 Bustin’ Out Of Doors
D2 Comrades
D3 All You Need To Make Music

Personnel:

Monty Stark (Vibes & Voice), Phil Morrison (Bass), Vinnie Johnson (Drums), John Abercrombie (Guitar).

Lacquered By Bernie Grundman in an all-analog transfer directly from the master tapes.

Contains extensive over-sized booklet with rare photos, liner notes and annotation.

Black Friday Record Store Day exclusive release.

LP, Digital. 2022. NA5237.

Fabiano do Nascimento – Lendas

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Lendas is the Brazilian guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento’s fifth album for Now-Again Records. Like his previous albums Prelúdio and Ykytu, Lendas features do Nascimento’s compositions, this time with orchestral arrangements by Vittor Santos and also special participation by Arthur Verocai.

Tracklist:

A1. Retratos
A2. Fonte
A3. Palácio
A4. Rio
B1. Solo As Onze (Noite Suite)
B2. Mãe de Luz
B3. Sonho
B4. Mirante

Personnel:

All compositions and guitar arrangements by Fabiano do Nascimento

Orchestral arrangements and their conducting/production by Vittor Santos Solo orchestration on “Solo As Onze (Noite Suite)” arranged and conducted by Arthur Verocai.

Engineered by Diogo Sarcinelli and Matheus Dias.

Guitar recorded at Jason Hiller’s Studio, Los Angeles, February-May 2021; strings and woodwinds recorded at Estúdio A Casa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 2021, except for Arthur Verocai’s string quartet recorded live at Cia dos Técnicos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 2, 2022.

Mixed by Vittor Santos.
Mastered by Jason Bitner.
Photography by Brian “B+” Cross.
Art direction by Errol Richardson.
Executive produced by Eothen Alapatt.
Special thanks to Rosangela Lopes, who organized these sessions.

LP, CD, Digital. 2023. NA5236.