‘Spirit of France’ celebrates the artists whose total desire ‘not to belong’ to a particular trend expanded their horizon by pushing the boundaries of creative music. Recording in caves during the full moon, or in the open air in Ibiza to celebrate the sun - with flutes, cromorne, darbouka and hurdy-gurdy, or with fascinating-sounding unusual instruments and with heavy influences from Indian, African, Arabic, Eastern and Malagasy cultures, that’s what makes this selection so unique. 

Freedom and fraternity constitute the fuel - like Don Cherry’s influence on Colin Walcott and Kahil El’Zabar (in the field of jazz), to folk background artists such as Robbie Basho and Sandy Bull. In Europe, the same approach was being manifested in Italy with bassist Marcello Melis, the Sardinian singers from the Gruppo Rubanu, Aktuala and Futuro Antico. In France, Cossi Anatz, Nu Creative Methods and Sonorhc were echoes of the same approach. 

‘Spirit of France’ is dedicated in unearthing more than just curiosities – instead focusing on never been reissued, obscure, artist-released music. Carefully curated by Spiritmuse Records’ Mark Gallagher and Thea Ioannou, and joined by young French digger Tom Val, ‘Spirit of France’ is an anthology of obscure spiritual jazz and its’ relationship with deep folk in the ‘70s - ‘80s French underground.
 
The album’s aim is evident right from the outset, with Rémy Couvez’s aptly named ‘Rêve de Voyage’, illustrating the theme’s quest for imaginary folklore, continued with  Workshop de Lyon, Sylvain Kassap, Noco Music, Pân-Râ, L’Empire des Sons, Ghédalia Tazartès and many more. 

‘Spirit of France’ is a story of French imaginary folklore, combining spiritual jazz influences and deep folk, at the crossroads of the tribal, the secular and the universal.

Curated by Mark Gallagher, Thea Ioannou and Tom Val
Design and Art Direction by Nep Sidhu
Mastered and Cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery, London
Liner Notes by Philippe Robert 

SPM008

Spirit of France - A1 - Reve - De - Voyage

Ahead of the Strata East Live show at The Barbican on March 22, Gilles has put together a mammoth 3 hour mix, playing nothing but the finest music released on the legendary 1970s label, Strata East. 

Here's part 1, with part 2 to follow shortly, and still to come, the in-depth Gilles Peterson x Charles Tolliver interview.

For more information on the event, check http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=17295


Tracklist
1. Music Inc  - On The Nile 
2. Gil Scott Heron - Peace Go With You Brother 
3. Clifford Jordan - 872
4. Billy Harper - Soulfully, I Love You/Black Spiritual of Love
5 . Mtume - Invocation
6. Charles Rouse - In His Presence Searching
7. Cecil Payne - Girl You Got A Home
8. The Piano Choir - Nation Time 
9. Milton Marsh - Monism
10. The New York Bass Violin Choir - John Coltrane
11. Brother Ah - Beyond Yourself
12. Stanley Cowell - Travelin Man
13. Harold Vick - Stop And Cop
14. Gil Scott Heron - Your Daddy Loves You
15. Descendants of Mike and Phoebe - Chick Chick
16. Billy Parker’s 4th World - Get With It
17. Composer’s Workshop Ensemble - Sub Structure
18. Charles Tolliver - Wilpan’s 
19. Jayne Cortez - How Long Has Trane Been Gone
20. Pharaoh Sanders - Prince of Peace
21. Cecil Mcbee - Voice of the 7th Angel
22. Dick Griffin - Jakubu’s Dance
23. Billy C - Both Sides Now

Strata East Mix Part 1

Ninja Tune & The Steve Reid Foundation present the debut album from Sarathy Korwar, fusing traditional folk music of the Sidi community in India (combining East African, Sufi and Indian influences) with jazz and electronics.

Sarathy Korwar - Mawra (Transcendence) (Worldwide Premiere)

“The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble’s music…seeks to spark a time in which heightened sensibility and higher consciousness will universally be known." Howard Mandel, jazz critic and author

Recently celebrating an extraordinary 45 years in music, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, led by legendary Chicago drummer and percussionist Sir Kahil El’Zabar, are pleased to announce the release of their latest album, ‘Be Known: Ancient/Future/Music’, released 10th May via Spiritmuse Records.

An artist truly in a league of his own, El’Zabar is acknowledged throughout the world as the leader in the vanguard of spiritual groove and afro-futuristic jazz with a significant contribution in the continuation of the scene over the last four decades. His driving compositions - simple themes that gain complexity through repetition and improvisation - have been recorded with such jazz heavyweights including Pharoah Sanders, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre and “Light” Henry Huff and he has toured with some of the biggest names in jazz including Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Archie Shepp, Lester Bowie, Nona Hendryx, Billy Bang, Hamiet Bluiett, and David Murray.

Forming EHE shortly after El'Zabar graduated from the fabled school of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians in 1973, he teamed up with tenor saxophonist Edward Wilkerson, Jr. with the goal “To combine concepts of African American music with its earlier roots in traditional African music, to produce new motifs and sounds true to their origins yet firmly pointed in a new artistic direction”. Forty-five years later and the rich and compelling, ever-evolving sound the band are known for, is still going strong. 

Together with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble are one of the two remaining original groups in the world today that were nurtured in the AACM. "I knew in my heart, that this band could endure," El'Zabar attests. "My concept was based in logic as it pertains to the history of Great Black Music. In other words, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has a strong rhythmic foundation, innovative harmonics and counterpoint, well-balanced interplay and polyphony among the players for highly developed ensemble dynamics. We are strong individual soloists with an in-depth grasp of music history, originality, fearlessness and deep spirituality.”

Alongside multi-percussionist and vocalist El’Zabar, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble’s current line-up includes Corey Wilkes on trumpet, who has worked with numerous jazz masters, including Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling and with El’Zabar for 15 years, multi-instrumentalist Alex Harding on baritone sax and Ian Maksin on cello, known as one of the most versatile and innovative musicians of his generation, having worked with such diverse artists as Andrea Bocelli and Sting.

Following on from the success of the 2014 album ‘Black is Back: 40th Anniversary Project’, ‘Be Known: Ancient/Future/Music’ is an electrifying mix of spiritual jazz and African rhythms. Compositions such as the thrilling ‘Blew It’ are built around fundamental brass improvisations with a swing-induced groove, while El’Zabar’s vocal chants on ‘Pharoah’ whip up a trance-like fervour, as we are taken on a sacred journey of enlightenment and deep listening. 

With artwork designed by the Toronto-based interdisciplinary artist Nep Sidhu (Erykah Badu/Shabazz Palaces), EHE’s ability to consistently push new boundaries with Afrocentric rhythms and free-flowing jazz says a great deal about El’Zabar’s commitment to the music and the message.

Pre-Order

Exclusive Premiere: Ethnic Heritage Ensemble "Pharoah"

A 15-minute spiritual jazz opus from the legendary Kahil El'Zabar and David Murray on @spiritmuserecords.

Read More & Buy: http://www.stampthewax.com/2020/05/13/premiere-kahil-elzabars-spirit-groove-ft-david-murray-one-world-family/
Listen on Youtube: https://bit.ly/SpiritGroove

Kahil El'Zabar's Spirit Groove ft. David Murray

Listen on Youtube

Kahil El'Zabar's Spirit Groove feat. David Murray - One World Family (STW Premiere)

Spiritmuse Records is an independent record label dedicated in unearthing gems from past
and future, music for mind & spirit - from spiritual jazz to ancient field recordings, releasing
carefully curated products for a deep listening, spiritual experience.
MUSIC FOR THE SPIRIT

Spirit of France - A1 - Reve - De - Voyage

Spiritmuse Records

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