Jothan Callins & The Sounds Of Togetherness - Winds Of Change (February 22, 2022 MAD ABOUT RECORDS)

Rare Spiritual Jazz funk Masterpiece reissue for the first time ever Worldwide with the original 4 page booklet

“Winds of Change” is generally compared to the Strata East style of jazz

Jothan Callins had played with Olatunji in the late 1960s, he both joined The Sun Ra Arkestra and founded his own Sounds of Togetherness. The incarnation of the band featured on this 1975 New York recording includes Cecil McBee, Norman Connors, Joseph Bonner, and Roland Duval.

Released as a one and done on Triumph Records, there is a little information about Callins and almost nothing about the sessions. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Callins played with a long list of luminaries, was an educator and obtained his Masters degree at the University of Pittsburgh (where Nathan Davis directed the jazz studies program). He established the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble (BYJE) in addition to becoming the first Jazz Artist in Residence in the Birmingham Public Schools. At the time this record was released, Callins was teaching in NYC.

1. Prayer For Love And Peace 08:14

2. Winds Of Change 15:05

3. Sons And Daughters Of The Sun 10:03

4. Triumph (Invitation / Call To Warriors) 10:10

Composed By, Trumpet, Bells – Jothan Callins

Bass – Cecil McBee

Congas, Percussion – Roland Duval

Drums, Percussion – Norman Connors

Piano, Tambourine – Joseph Bonner

Engineer – Frank Kulaga

Illustration – Taiwo Duwal

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Courtial With Errol Knowles - Don't You Think It's Time (February 22, 2022 MAD ABOUT RECORDS)

Killer Soul/Jazz-Funk highly collectible LP recorded in 1976 in San Francisco Bay Area

Cult LP including Rare Groove classics like “Losing you”, “Don’t you think it’s time” or “Love Nevermore”

They are named after their mentor, Bill Courtial, a highly respected session guitarist. Co-founder is reputed to be Pete ‘Coke’ Escovedo. They had both worked together as part of the Santana spin-off group Azteca, a Latin jazz fusion outfit; most notably on 1973’s ‘Pyramid of the Moon’ LP. During these sessions, they were introduced to vocalist Errol Knowles, who has a pleasant if limited vocal approach. Together, the three of them form the core of Courtial. Meanwhile, the remainder of Courtial was forming in San Francisco. Originally scheduled to perform in a play that was cancelled on opening night, the assembled group were given an alternative venue at a local club, Butterfields. This was to be an important break for them as the club owner was friends with Bill Courtial, and it had come to light that Bill was looking to form a band.

Released in 1976 on Pipeline, a small label from Woodside, California

1. Don't You Think It's Time 03:47

2. Thank You Baby 03:44

3. Time To Explain 03:24

4. Best of Friends 03:59

5. Poem for Helen 04:01

6. Losing You 03:21

7. Nevermore 04:28

8. Take the Time 03:42

9. Corn of the Cob 06:13

Guitar, Co-producer, Arranged By – Bill Courtial

Vocals – Errol Knowles

Keyboards, Strings [Elka String Choir], Synthesizer – David Kempton

Percussion – Jose Najera

Bass – Edward Williams III

Drums – Geoffrey Whyte

Congas – Errol Knowles (tracks: A2, A3, B2), Pete Escovedo (tracks: A1, A4, B3, B4)

Co-producer – Steve Whiting

Design Concept, Photography By – Herbie Greene

Engineer – Ken Hopkins

Executive-Producer – Madjid Panahpour

Recorded At – Wally Heider Studios 1976

Under exclusive license from Steve Whiting , Whiting & Co. Entertainment

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Raposa Velha - Raposa Velha (December 1, 2021 Mad About Records)

Raposa Velha was a notable Bahian jazz group, which was part of the wave of great musicians and bands from Bahia during the 1980s, such as Sexteto do Beco, Saul Barbosa and Andréa Daltro. Thus, Raposa Velha released only this album, independently in 1981. Outlined between jazz-fusion and avant-garde jazz, this LP has become a very obscure piece within the Brazilian jazz universe.

1. Vitor 04:53

2. Luiza 09:16

3. Tema da Luz 03:10

4. Passagem 07:48

5. Triunfo da Luz 02:17

6. Vinheta 05:57

Drums – Jorge Brasil

Electric Bass – Carlinhos Marques

Electric Piano, Synthesizer [Arp], Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Zeca Freitas

Guitar – Paulo Brasil

Trombone – Fred Dantas

Cover – Dicinho

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