Chris Daly prays at the altar of Sun Ra.
While it might be impossible to prove the existence (or not) of a higher power, mankind can still take solace in the mystical reality that is jazz. I can’t vouch for Buddha, Jesus, Yahweh or any of the others, but I do know that jazz has been and remains a pretty damn good vehicle to reach enlightenment. Artists from Alice Coltrane to Sun Ra have explored this more spiritually rooted vein of the genre, and that trend continues today.
To both free your mind and release your ass from the chains of spiritual bondage, my personal favorite beat producer, Manchester’s own Mecca:83, has posted the nearly hour-long Spirit Tones (A Deep Jazz Mix) on the always apt for such things Mixcloud. In AKA Evan Jones’ own words, this one is, “A trip through some of my favourite deep/spiritual jazz tracks from the 60s right up to the present day. Some well known, some buried in obscurity: all guaranteed to take you into a meditative state for the duration. Best enjoyed with nag champa burning in the background.”
Words and music to live by. Track list for the crate diggers:
Makoto Terashita meets Harold Land – Dragon Dance
Emanative – Hum Allah Hum Allah Hum Allah
Albert Dailey – Dues We Have To Pay
Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra – Tribute To Alice Coltrane
Harry Whittaker – Black Rennaissance
Mustafa – God Is
Hannibal & The Sunrise Orchestra – Revelation
Jothan Callins & The Sounds of Togetherness – Prayer for Peace & Love
Hampshire & Foat – The Solar Winds (& Cadenza)
Uyama Hiroto – Minano Pride
