Community focused, politicised spiritual jazz from the '70s. Forming in Germantown and MT Airy neighborhoods of Philladelphila in 1970/1971, Sounds of Liberation consisted of seven members: Khan Jamal (vibraphone), Byard Lancaster (Alto Saxophone/flute), Billy Mills (bass), Dwight James (drums), Monnette Sudler (guitar), Omar Hill (percussion), and Willliam Brister (percussionist). At the forefront of avant-garde Black expression, the band was also known for putting action behind their creative endeavors, deeming itself a social movement in the process. Out of print for many years (Porter Records reissued in 2010), the six-song, 50-minute album is a study in free, abstract, and freely improvised jazz, and the tracks are remastered from original vinyl transfer done by Porter Records. Gatefold cover with liner notes form Francis Davis who pays tribute to his dear friend Byard Lancaster, Japanese OBI strip, for those of you who are curious, the OG pressing is $$$$$.

• remastered from original vinyl transfer done by Porter Records in 2010
• gatefold cover w/ liner notes
• music label: Brewerytown Beats 1972 / 2019

reviewed by singing in japanese 03/2020