Product Overview
Strut present the first ever compilation bringing together classics and rarities from the seminal spiritual jazz and conscious soul label Black Fire, covering 1975 to 1993. Formed by DJ and record producer Jimmy Gray in Richmond, Virginia, and following in the footsteps of other influential black-owned independent labels like Strata-East and Tribe, the foundation of Black Fire coincided with saxophonist James "Plunky" Branch returning to the city from New York to form Oneness Of Juju. The band's 'African Rhythms' album in 1975 was the perfect fusion of jazz, deep African polyrhythms and empowering lyrics and bassist Muzi Branch, a trained artist, created the first of many Black Fire handillustrated sleeves for the label's debut release. The album set the tone for a series of landmark releases on the label including Oneness Of Juju's 'Space Jungle Luv' (1976) and debuts from soulman Wayne Davis (1976) and early go-go pioneers Experience Unlimited (1977). Soul Love Now brings together some of the many highlights from the label onto one essential compilation. The release features extended sleeve notes features extended sleeve notes around the history of the label alongside interviews with featured musicians. This vinyl format includes a reprint of one of the three original Black Fire magazines published by Jimmy Gray which predated the launch of the label.
Tracklist:
| Theatre West– | Children Of Tomorrow's Dreams | 4:05 | |
| Oneness Of Juju– | Soul Love Now | 4:54 | |
| Byard Lancaster– | Drummers From Ibadan | 4:07 | |
| JuJu– | Nia (Poem: Complete The Circle) | 8:37 | |
| Lon Moshe– | Doin The Carvin For Thabo | 5:34 | |
| Wayne Davis– | Look At The People | 5:11 | |
| Southern Energy Ensemble– | Third House | 7:02 | |
| Oneness Of Juju– | African Rhythms (Live In Washington DC, 1975) | 7:41 | |
| Okyerema Asante– | Follow Me | 5:36 | |
| Experience Unlimited– | People | 6:09 |
