From the same year Smith left the Miles Davis group, the title track is such an almighty classic, it has eclipsed this lovely LP.
Desert Nights, Voodoo Woman and the dubby Shadows are variations of the same ecstatically cosmic, limberly funky modal jazz as the beloved opener, centred on the sublimity of Cecil McBee’s bass-playing. Summer Days and My Love go Latin. The tenor voice of Lonnie’s bro Donald leads a version of Horace Silver’s Peace (with new, yearning lyrics by Doug Carn).

‘Ace is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the original Flying Dutchman release, with an ultra-high quality deluxe vinyl edition of the album. Using the original album master tape we decamped to Frank Merritt’s East London studio, the Carvery, for an all-analogue cut of the album. It has never sounded better!
‘We have housed this in a tip-on a laminated gatefold sleeve, which has allows Jack Martin’s original painting of Lonnie to shine as never before. We have also a fully illustrated sleeve note by Frank Tope, telling the story of how the record took its journey through the universe from its spiritual jazz route to become a clubland anthem. This story is told with help from Gilles Peterson, Norman Jay, and others.’

The word from Mississippi…
‘Relentless polyrhythms, call and response vocal poetry, melodic and layered horns, flute, and even accordion!!! A huge and rich sonic landscape, propulsive, energetic, and deeply soulful.
‘Every neighborhood in Dakar has its own Assiko band. They’re community groups, open to anyone who wants to join, as opposed to the legendary griot culture that only allows select families to take part.
‘These hyper-democratic bands can kick off a thousand-person street party at any moment. But they also operate as mutual aid groups, neighborhood security, impromptu after-school programs, and repositories of local music and lore.
The Assiko Band of Grand Yoff neighborhood is led by Djiby Ly (Wau Wau Collectif), who takes his role in the community seriously. He’s led iterations of the band for over a decade, and describes in detail each rhythm they play, its roots, travels, and contours. This Assiko band is particularly prolific and popular, and these recordings remind me of a good rock band - loose and rangy, you can hear the humor and warmth amongst the bandmates come through.’

The first of his three Fela-produced solo LPs, from 1975.

Half-price this weekend.

Mythical 1981 recording by the Mancunian eleven-piece, supervised by Prince Hammer. Reason was the sound-boy weapon. Compellingly off-kilter and atmospheric.

Sensational Texan guitar blues. Gatemouth comes out of T-Bone Walker. Don Robey started the Peacock label, just to put his records out. Without Clarence there is no Johnny Guitar Watson. Killer, killer, killer.

Loco, lo-fi garage and psych, 1966-7, put together by the people behind the excellent Six Feet Under compilation.

Blissful boogie-down soul by the Fatback Band alumnus, produced by Greg Carmichael and Patrick Adams; originally released in 1978. With the almighty It Ain’t No Big Thing.