Review: Sphere - Inside Ourselves (BBE Music/180 Proof Records)

New release on BBE by a band you've never heard off; it must be new then?

Well sort of as in it was orginally from 1974 (almost making it into our new found "50 year old" set) and recorded in 1970, it is part of DJ Amir's dig into seminal Strata East's archives (more on this HERE).

And when I say "live", it is just that on seven original jazz/jazzy fusion tracks at the Detroit Institute of Arts wth John Dana (b), Jimmy Peluso (d), Keith Vreeland (electric piano), Eddie Nuccilli (tr, fh) and leader, Larry Nozero (ts,ss).

It sounds 'free' and very Miles influenced which would the thing at the time for any young self-respecting jazz head in the heart of Detroit; check out that cover photo!

And whilst some of these tracks are long/very long (there's 2 'unknown' bonus tracks, worth getting for the 12 minutes of mostly jazz-dance-speeding of  'Unknown Track 1'), hence the special remastered 2 LP format, there's no particular solo/noodles/puffery here, even with the slower tracks like 'Lonely Girl' and 'Where', there's a sense of energy/purpose. Note: excepting 'Spitfire' that's less than a minute.

Where are these guys now? Well the geeks ampngst us will want to know that Larry played the sax solo on Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' and that'd be enough for most of us but he did work much later with Sergio Mendez and Henri Mancini!

This series will never be able to top, the Mingus, 'Jazz In Detroit / Strat Concert Gallery / 46 Selden' release in 2018 (really, 5 years ago!) but this is definitely up there in obscure jazz finds that you wouldn't want to miss out on.

Also, if you like this, you'll also want to get the 'Live' album by Shamek Farrah & Norman Person that was released towards the end of last year (see Review HERE)

Artist: Sphere

Title: Inside Ourselves

Release date: 19th May, 2023

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE714 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Shamek Farrah & Norman Person - Live (BBE Music)

If you're the impatient jazz type that can't wait to get their hands on this rare LP lovingly re-issued by BBE and have been trying to get up to speed on Bandcamp, the nearly 13 minute version of the opening track 'Aisha' by Shamek Farrah and Norman Person, you'll know that there is one massive problem, it's not long enough! 

Don't panic, the album has a second 9 minute version! 

It's a shame they both fade out but what can you do when this release was recorded live between 1988 and 1991 and previousy only avaliable in cassette form at their gigs, this release is a 'lost' jem of post-bop spiritual soul-jazz with a huge Latin kick. 

You'll kow the cover versions of 'Footprints' (Wayne Shorter, RIP) and 'I Remember Clifford' like the back of you hand, like the band here but you'll need this album as much for 'Aisha' as 'Negative Forces' - this time a 12 and 55 minute version on the double vinyl 45rpm disc/CD/Digital. 

This release sits perfectly with BBE/180 Proof Records' Strata East re-issues and helpfully there's a 'get to know you' interview with Shamek Farrah and Norman Person by The Jazz Dad himself, Tony Higgins (J-Jazz with Mike Peden, Impressed with Gilles Peterson and much more). 

Absolutely fantastic that all involved have now shared this brilliant jazz with the rest of the world and can't recommend it enough.

 

Artist: Shamek Farrah & Norman Person

Title: Live 

Release date: 7th October, 2022

Label : BBE Music

Catalog Number : BBE679 LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp