Home » Jazz Articles » Jazz from the Black Saint Label (1975 - 1989)

Jazz from the Black Saint Label (1975 - 1989)

By Russell Perry | Jazz at 100
June 9, 2020
Sign in to view read count

Click the play button to listen

Ironically, the record label that most consistently offered an outlet for the American jazz avant-garde in the 1980s was the Italian Black Saint / Soul Note imprint. On All About Jazz, Jeff Stockton wrote, ..."from 1984 to 1989 Black Saint won the Down Beat critics poll for "Best Label" and "Best Producer" and established itself as the Blue Note of its time, a label whose mark and reputation alone assured the listener that the music would be adventurous, exciting jazz of the highest order." To capture some essential element of the decade, we have featured Dial in the 40s, Verve in the 50s, Blue Note in the 60s and ECM in the 70s. In this hour of Jazz at 100, the adventurous Black Saint / Soul Note releases of the 1980s.

Playlist

Host Intro 0:00
Billy Harper Quintet "Dance, Dance, Eternal Spirits" from Black Saint (Black Saint) 2:42
Host speaks 9:27
Julius Hemphill Quartet "Body" from Flat-out Jump Street (Black Saint) 9:58
Host speaks 16:57
John Carter Octet "The Mating Ritual" from Dauwhe (Black Saint) 17:34
Host speaks 24:34
Craig Harris Quintet "Blackwell" from Black Bone (Soul Note) 26:32
Host speaks 39:30
Jimmy Lyons Quartet with Enrico Rava "Ballada" from Give It Up (Black Saint) 40:06
Host speaks 43:35
Jaki Byard and The Apollo Stompers "Lover Man" from Phantasies (Soul Note) 45:18
Host speaks 50:52
Muhal Richard Abrams Orchestra "Finditnow" from Hearinga Suite (Black Saint) 51:30
Host Outro 57:54

Post a comment

FOR THE LOVE OF JAZZ

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.