Listen to Nat Birchall's Afro Trane album

Check out Afro Trane, Nat Birchall's 2022 self-released salute to the music and inspiration of John Coltrane. Get it right here. 

Midweek Mixdown: Nat Birchall salutes Lee "Scratch" Perry

Check out Nat Birchall's selection of Lee Perry's productions on his Sounds From The Ancient Archive show using the link below. 

Listen to Nat Birchall's Lee "Scratch" Perry salute archived on Soundcloud right here.

Sounds From The Ancient Archive spotlights Cedric "Im" Brooks

Since Soul Jazz hasn't yet hit on the brilliant idea of compiling the Studio One work of Cedric "Im" Brooks, Nat Birchall has done a 2hr mix of his own.

Here's the scoop from host Nat Birchall...

Coming up this Saturday, June 16th on my Sounds From the Ancient Archive show, a VERY SPECIAL mix featuring the legendary tenor sax man Cedric "Im" Brooks. Pure Studio 1 recordings back to back for two solid hours! You won’t hear this collection of recordings anywhere else believe me! Featuring his Classic album ‘Im Flash Forward’ plus tons of 7” 45s. 

Check out the mix archived on Soundcloud right here.

Also, have a listen to the Flash Forward LP and some Studio One related singles and the rare "Uhuru" single topside by The Mystics which sounds rough but it's a nice obscure track that even many deep digging fans of Cedric "Im" Brooks have never come across. 

Midweek Mixdown: Nat Birchall salutes Pharoah Sanders

Nat Birchall put together a special Sounds From The Ancient Archive mix in honour of the late Pharoah Sanders. Listen below.

Check out Nat Birchall's two-hour selection of Pharoah Sanders performances via Mixcloud right here.

TRACK LIST

1. Let Us Go Into the House of The Lord - Pharoah Sanders Quintet - Live in Nice 1971 (Blank label LP) 

2. Crescent - John Coltrane Quintet - (Second Night In Tokyo 3LP 1966 Impulse) 

3. African Cookbook - Randy Weston (Dewey Redman - 1st tenor solo) (The Spirits of our Ancestors - Verve 2CD 1992) 

4. Cocktail Piece (First variation, take 2) - Don Cherry Quintet (ESP 4CD recorded 1963) 

5. Prayer Blues - Randy Weston (Kephera - Verve CD 1998) 

6. There Is The Bomb - Don Cherry Quartet (Where Is Brooklyn - Blue Note LP 1966) 

7. Light At The Edge Of the World - Pharoah Sanders Quartet (Ballads With Love - Venus LP 1997) 

8. Naima - John Coltrane Quintet (Live at the Village Vanguard Again - Impulse LP 1966) 

9. This One's For Trane - Phil Ranelin (Collected Works - Wild Hive 3LP 2019) 

10. Solo saxophone - Pharoah Sanders - recorded at Ornette Coleman's funeral 2015 (Celebrate Ornette - multi LP/CD/DVD - Song X Records 2016) 

11. In The Key of the Universe - Joey DeFrancesco (In The Key of the Universe 2LP - Mack Avenue 2019) 

12. Japan - Pharoah Sanders (Tauhid - Impulse LP 1967) 

13. Crescent - Pharoah Sanders Quartet (Crescent With Love - Venus LP 1998)

Midweek Mixdown: Sounds From The Ancient Archive w/ Nat Birchall

A typically heady mix from Nat's Ancient Archives featuring John Coltrane, Odean Pope, Dizzy Reece, Yabby You. 

Track list:

1. Nizipho -  Pharoah Sanders 2. Jays - Kalaparush Maurice McIntyre 3. Dadadun - Odean Pope & Misled Children 4. Communion - Dizzy Reece 5. Dial Africa - Wilbur Harden 6. Dial Africa - Rico Rodriguez 7. Keep Your Soul Together - Freddie Hubbard 8. Nature Boy (Live version) - John Coltrane 9. Things New - George Russell 10. Communication - Dewey Redman & Ed Blackwell 11. One For Trane - Dizzy Reece 12. Voodoo Sense - Joachim Khun feat. Archie Shepp 13. Metaphysics - Hassan Ibn Ali feat. Odean Pope 14. Obidiah Iziah (aka Long Time Ago) Johnny Kool/Run Bag O' Wire - Jah Tony 15. Daydreaming Of Africa - Lloyd Jones 16. King Of Kings - Yabby You 17. Oh City Of Zion - Yabby You & King Tubby 18. Ainash Nubia Dub - Yabby You & King Tubby

Check it out right here. 

Watch the Nat Birchall Quartet live in Manchester

Check out the recent hour-long set by UK saxophonist Nat Birchall and crew at Low Four Studio in Manchester City Centre. 

Midweek Mixdown: Sounds From The Ancient Archive

Check out Nat Birchall's top-notch selection of spiritual jazz and roots reggae via Mixcloud right here. 

Tracklist:

1. Maulana - Kuumba Toudie/Mtume from Kawaida (Trip)

2. Utamu - Mtume Umoja Ensemble from Live at The East (Strata East)

3. You Can Find A Way - Hannibal Lokumbe/Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim from African Portraits (Teldec)

4. The Voyage - Hannibal from Hannibal (MPS)

5. We'll Get Through This - Kahil El'Zabar Quartet from A Time For Healing (SpiritMuse)

6. Invocation To Mr Parker - Archie Shepp from Attica Blues (Impulse)

7. Blues For Brother George Jackson - Archie Shepp from Attica Blues (Impulse)

8. Ballad For A Child - Archie Shepp from Attica Blues (Impulse)

9. Fantasia - Hilton Ruiz feat. Pharoah Sanders from Fantasia (Denon)

10. Another Earth - Gary Bartz feat. Pharoah Sanders from Another Earth (Milestone)

11. Camel Driver - Jackie McLean & The Cosmic Brotherhood from New York Calling (Steeplechase/Inner City)

12. Bilad As Sudan - Rene McLean Sextet from Watch Out (Steeplechase)

13. Praises - Cedric Brooks from United Africa (Water Lily)

14. Raphaela - Cyril Diaz Orchestra from Plays Melody & Sparrow (RCA Trinidad)

15. Big Big Boss - Johnny Dizzy Moore (Matador blank 45)

16. Money Maker - Im & David (Studio One 45)

Midweek Mixdown: Sounds From The Ancient Archive

Check out Nat Birchall's stellar 2hr vinyl mix of spiritual jazz and vintage roots reggae below. 

Here's the scoop from Nat Birchall...

"On my latest 1BTN show, I investigate the majestic and heavenly sounds of both John and Alice Coltrane with strings. Also music from Egypt with Ali Ismail, Salah Ragab, Sun Ra and Salah Ragab with Sun Ra! Plus some deadly Roots Rock Reggae with Jimmy Dean, David Madden and Cedric Brooks." 

Listen via Mixcloud right here. 

Midweek Mixdown: Nat Birchall salutes Lee Perry

Check out Nat Birchall's superb selection of the Upsetters' recordings in memory of the musical magician Lee Perry right here. 

TRACKLIST  

1. Bucky Skank - Lee Perry 

2. Black Panta - Upsetters 

3. Herb Vendor - Leroy Wallace 

4. Give Thanks - Delroy Butler (Delroy Denton) 

5. Words Of My Mouth - The Gatherers 

6. Words - Anthony Sangie Davis/Lee Perry 

7. Station Underground News - Lee Perry 

8. Freedom Fighter - Bunny & Ricky 

9. Ring Of Fire - Upsetters 

10. Lion Of Judah - Jah T 

11. Enter The Dragon - Lee Perry 

12. Public Jestering - Judge Winchester (Winston Blake) 

13. Sunshine Showdown - Lee Perry 

14. Tipper Special - The Upsetters 

15. Curly Locks - Junior Byles 

16. The Long Way - Junior Byles 

17. When Jah Come - Devon Irons 

18. Callying Butt - Upsetters 

19. Chase The Devil - Max Romeo 

20. Croaking Lizard - Prince Jazzbo & The Upsetters 

21. Keep On Moving (12"mix) - Bob Marley & Wong Chu 

22. Vampire (12" mix) - Devon Devon Irons & Dr Alimantado 

23. History (12" mix) - Carlton Jackson 

24. Natty Past Through Rome - Prince Jazzbo 

25. Mr Money Man - Danny Hensworth 

26. Unity - Lawyer (Horace Martin) 

27. Unity Dub - Upsetters 

28. Open the Gate (12" mix) - Watty Burnett 

29. Rally Dub - Upsetter 

Midweek Mixdown: Sounds From The Ancient Archive

Check out Nat Birchall's stellar 2 hour selection of deep jazz and roots reggae from his own stash below. 

TRACKLIST 

1. Malaguena - Pete LaRoca (Blue Note) 

2. In The Beginning There Was Africa - Joe Henderson (Milestone) 

3. Ptah The El Daoud - Alice Coltrane (Impulse) 

4. African Challenge - Zoot Skully Simms (Studio 1) 

5. Black Is Black - Im & David (Bamboo) 

6. Free Black People - Burning Spear (Tribesman 12") 

7. Variations In Blue - Bill Barron (Dragon) 

8. Mavichavel - Tchangodei & Archie Shepp (Volcanic) 

9. Hully Gully Rock - Roland Alphonso & His Alley Cats (Blue Beat) 

10. Love And Devotion - Slim Smith (Black Solidarity) 

11. Love Land - Sound Dimension (Studio 1) 

12. Jericho Skank - Ernest Ranglin & Jackie Mittoo (Studio 1) 

13. Ouagoudougu - Clifford Jordan (Strata East/Polydor) 

14. Through The Ages Jehovah - Andrew Cyrille (Soul Note) 

15. There Is A Balm In Gilead - Odean Pope (CIMP) 

16. Brain Wash - Conscious Minds (Soul Beat) 

17. Life's Experience - Hopeton Crawford (Faithful Few) 

18. Life's Dub (Faithful Few) 

19. Bwaata - Joe Henderson (Milestone)

Check out Sounds From The Ancient Archive on Mixcloud right here. 

Midweek Mixdown: Nat Birchall's Sounds From the Ancient Archive

Listen to Nat Birchall's latest mix of spiritual jazz and roots reggae on Sounds From The Ancient Archive right here.  

Nat Birchall's Sounds From The Ancient Archive – April 17, 2021 Tracklist 

1. "Powerful Paul Robeson" (vocal version) - Clifford Jordan, from the LP Remembering Me-Me (Muse)

2. "Throw It Away" - Abbey Lincoln, from the LP Golden Lady (Marge, France/Inner City USA)

3. "Burundi Pose" - Big Black, from the LP Elements Of Now (UNI Records)

4. "Gbogbo Omo Ibile" - Solomon Ilori, 12" (Blue Note/Honest Jon's)

5. "Tenor On The Call" - Tommy McCook & The Discosonics, 12" (Studio 1)

6. Untitled (Version of "Jah Jah Way" - Yabby You) - Tommy McCook (Dubplate)

7. "Sunshine Fly Away" - Larry Young, from the LP Lawrence Of Newark (Perception Records)

8. "Black Butterfly" - Salah Ragab & The Cairo Jazz Band, from the LP Egyptian Jazz (Art Yard)

9. "Pan Afro" - Sun Ra & His Astro Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra, from the LP Discipline 27-II (Strut/Art Yard)

10. "Necaumung-Us" - Beaver Harris, from the the LP Beaver Is My Name (Timeless)

11. "Peace In Essaouria" - Pharoah Sanders/Maleem Mahmmod Ghania, from the LP Trance Of The Seven Colors (Zehra)

12. "Sahara Samba" - Olatunji, from the LP Drums! Drums! Drums! (Roulette)

13. "Jah Jah Skanking" - The Natty Locks 7" (Fay Music Inc)

14. "Black Skin Vinration" - Dubwise 7" (Cry Tuff/Black Skin The Prophet)

15. "Your Teacher" a.k.a. "Black Skin" - Black Skin The Prophet 7" (Cry Tuff/Black Skin The Prophet)

16. "African Cookbook" - Randy Weston, from the LP African Cookbook (Atlantic)

17. "Civilisation" - The Classics 7" 

Nat Birchall joins Vin Gordon for instrumental reggae set Upright Living

Nat Birchall's Upright Living – a follow-up to Sounds Almighty – is due Aug 28 but you can pre-order it now right here.

Nat Birchall meets Al Breadwinner - Upright Living

1. Man From Jones Town

2. Dub From Manchester

3. Upright Living 

4. Upfull Dubbing

5. Mystical Dawn

6. Wise Man Style/Dub Of The Prophet

7. African Village Dance

8. Village Dub

9. Tribute To The Great Tommy McCook

Credits:

Nat Birchall - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax, Bass, Melodica, Organ, Piano, Percussion, Hand Drums 

Al Breadwinner - Drums, Guitar, Organ, Piano, Percussion, Hand Drums 

Vin Gordon - Trombone 

David Fullwood - Trumpet 

Stally - Baritone Sax

Nat Birchall meets Al Breadwinner inna Tradition dub style

UK Saxophonist Nat Birchall joins trombonist Vin Gordon, Al Breadwinner and an old Grampian reverb unit for Tradition Disc In Dub due April 24th. 

Nat Birchall salutes Yusef Lateef on new album The Storyteller

The Storyteller: A Musical Tribute To Yusef Lateef is out September 13 on Jazzman Records. 

Here's the scoop...
With 20 years passing since his first foray into recorded jazz, Nat Birchall now ranks as one of the premier saxophonists of his generation. With several highly acclaimed albums in the locker, he now returns with his most ambitious project yet – a tribute to the legend that is Yusef Lateef.

“When Jazzman Gerald first mentioned to me the idea of doing an album as a tribute to the jazz giant Dr Yusef A. Lateef, my first thought was "Where on earth do I start?" Lateef was such a colossus of music, and his scope so broad, that I couldn't hope to begin to cover his musical universe. He was a master of the tenor saxophone, a master of the flute, a master ballad player, a master blues player. Not to mention his skills as a composer and arranger and of course his exploration and use of musical methodology and instruments from all over the world.“

“I’ve always been a great admirer of Lateef, and the challenge was intriguing, so I decided to give it go. We interpreted some of his own compositions (Brother John, Morning & Ching Miau) as well as some compositions by others that he made his own by careful arrangement and interpretation (Love Theme from Spartacus, Ringo Oiwake). I also wrote some original songs that, while certainly not written in his style, might be said to fall into his very broad approach to music making.”

“I also wanted to utilise as many different instruments as possible, something I hadn't explored too much until this album. So it was a nice opportunity to finally get around to playing some of the many small instruments I've collected over the years; the Turkish zurna, the mbira from Zimbabwe, the balaphon from Mali and the arghul from Egypt. We have also tried to use varied time signatures in the music, so we have songs in 3/4, 5/4 and 7/4 time, as well as the standard 4/4.”

“Ultimately the best music tells a story to the listener and takes them to places they might not have imagined themselves. Yusef Lateef certainly did that, and as such was a master storyteller.”

- Nat Birchall

You can pre-order a copy of Nat Birchall's forthcoming album The Storyteller right here. Listen to the lead track "Tales of Saba" below.

Happy Birthday John Coltrane!

Remembering the saxophone titan with tributes from Clifford Jordan, Nat Birchall & José James.

Nat Birchall salutes John Coltrane with new Jazzman single

Check out the Nat Birchall Quintet's update of Billy Gault's Mode For Trane off their new single with art by Emma Davis. 

UK-based jazz mag Straight No Chaser issue #99 due July 16

Here's the scoop from Straight No Chaser HQ...
It was in the summer of 1988, three decades ago, that Straight No Chaser – the magazine of World Jazz Jive was launched. Back then, the venture was a “designer fanzine” and in many respects that definition still holds true. The magazine evolved as a hub for a global community of music devotees committed to exploring diverse cultures of the African diaspora. From Sun Ra to Jeff Mills, Straight No Chaser explored ‘Intergalactic Sounds: Ancient To Future’ but in 2007, with the arrival of the internet, we were forced to call it a day.

However, 10 years down the line, a fresh, bold jazz influenced, nu-generation have emerged and it felt right to pick up where we left off with #SNC98. Over 130+ pages, this issue – #SNC99 (out July 16th) – connects with band-leaders Cassie Kinoshi (SEED Ensemble), Tenderlonious (22a), Femi Koleoso (Ezra Collective) and keys whiz Joe Armon-Jones.

Also in the mix are a host of spirited individuals like Nat Birchall (left), Midori Takada, Nabihah Iqbal, and Ben LeMar Gay. The London-Lagos-Accra connection is explored alongside Durban’s Qgom scene. On the indie label tip there’s Gondwana, Jazz re:freshed, Detroit Love and On the Corner.

For the crate diggers there’s Motown’s Black Forum + nuff reviews. #SNC98 sold out in under three weeks and though we’ve printed more mags there’s no room for complacency when it comes to getting your copy. You can pre-order Straight No Chaser #99 right now, right here.

UK jazz rising star Nat Birchall discusses Cosmic Language

Hear the interview Barry Smyth conducted with Nat following the album's lead track "Man From Varanasi" 

Saxophonist Nat Birchall ventures further out with Cosmic Language

UK jazz explorer Nat Birchall is bolstering his sound with harmonium and percussion for Cosmic Language out March 9. 

"Our new album Cosmic Language is set for release on Jazzman Records on March 9th! Featuring the very wonderful Adam Fairhall on (his very own) Indian harmonium, Michael Bardon on bass, Andy Hay on drums and percussion and special guest Chris Cruiks on additional percussion. Vinyl, CD and download. Healing vibrations to soothe the nations." – Nat Birchall

Listen to song clips from Cosmic Language right here. Watch the Nat Birchall Quintet perform "Divine Light" back in March followed by a discussion of his formative influences.

One For The Weekend: Vibration Black Finger

"Get Up and Do It" is off Vibration Black Finger's new Gaudi EP out now on Enid Records.