The nineteenth volume of Jazzman’s long-running Spiritual Jazz series turns its attention to the lesser-known spiritual, modal, and Afrocentric sounds that emerged on the American West Coast. Part 2 concentrates on the 1970s and ’80s, tracing how counterculture, Black political consciousness, alternative spirituality, and independent labels helped shape a jazz scene far removed from California’s familiar “cool jazz” image.
Across ten carefully selected recordings, established figures such as Pharoah Sanders, Buddy Collette, and Billy Higgins sit alongside deeper discoveries including Infinite Sound, P.E. Hewitt, Rickey Kelly, Luna, and Ambiance. The music moves from meditative modal jazz to African-influenced rhythms, expansive improvisation, and deeply spiritual ensemble playing. More than an archival compilation, West Coast USA Part 2 reveals a vibrant and often overlooked chapter of American jazz history.
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