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Cat: GGR 20202. Rel: 23 Nov 20
Jazz

Side 1 - Track 1. Birth, Life & Death Side 1 - Track 2. In Light Of Blackness Side 2 - Track 1. Opening Prayer Side 2 - Track 2. John's Vision Side 2 - Track 3. Al-Nisa Side 2 - Track 4. Final Expression

For avant-garde jazz collectors, Black Unity Trio's sole album, 1969's Al Fatihah, has long been a genuine "holy grail" record. The Ohio-based outfit pressed and distributed just 500 copies first time around, making it one of the rarest free-jazz sets around. Happily, Gotta Groove Records has decided to reissue it, presenting the atmospheric, experimental and decidedly cosmic set in freshly remastered, audiophile-quality sound. The set itself is breathlessly brilliant in places, with wild, exuberant alto saxophone solos, sharp cello sounds and rubbery double bass rising above sweaty drums and a variety of chaotic percussion sounds. While undeniably freeform in parts, the album is also extremely expressive, offering a powerful musical commentary on what were notoriously turbulent times for the USA. No wonder it still sounds so relevant in 2020.