Kenny Cox The Contemporary Jazz Quintet
Introducing Kenny Cox And The Contemporary Jazz Quintet

The genesis of Nothing New dates back to 2005, when Richard Russell first approached Gil with the suggestion of making a new record. Part of the initial suggestion was to record spartan versions of some of Gil’s old songs, something that both parties thought intriguing. Although recording initially started off that way, the album gradually evolved into something very different: 2010’s acclaimed I’m New Here album which, as the title suggests, didn’t touch on any of Gil’s previous recordings (except “Your Soul and Mine”, which is essentially a reimagining of “The Vulture” from Scott-Heron’s 1970 debut LP Small Talk at 125th and Lennox). I’m New Here placed Gil’s distinctive voice in a very modern context.In November 2011, six months after Gil sadly passed away, Russell sat down to listen to the whole of Gil’s back catalogue – an incredible body of work encompassing 13 albums between 1970 and 1982, and then 2 more (including I’m New Here) that were made before Gil’s death. Listening to these 15 albums led Russell to revisit the acoustic piano versions of Gil’s old songs that they’d captured in those initial New York recording sessions. They were remarkable, entirely different versions to the originals, full of magic and simplicity. They had in fact made the album they originally set out to.Nothing New features these stripped down versions of some of Gil’s best (though not necessarily best known) songs, as well as excerpts of conversations between takes. The songs were chosen by Gil himself and it was only when compiling the album that Russell realised that each song was taken from a different album, Gil having carefully curated his selection.In addition, the vinyl release will feature Who Is Gil Scott-Heron?, a film by BAFTA nominated film makers Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard. Seeking to answer the question in the title, Who Is Gil Scott-Heron? is a portrait seen through the eyes of those who loved Gil, his friends, his family, and the musicians he played with.

Drift Up To Space is AMBIANCE’s second album released in 1980 on Da Mon Records, Los Angeles.Some of the best fusion on record!"Influenced by the modal jazz of John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Ambiance was an excellent but little known post-bop group that was active in Los Angeles in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Ambiance reflected the spiritual outlook of its founder and leader Daoud Abubakar Balewa, a saxophonist/flutist who also played African and Latin percussion and was heavily influenced by world music."