{"title":"Isaiah Collier and the Chosen Few","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"the-almighty-5zyu6d","title":"The Almighty","description":"\u003cp\u003e Isaiah Collier \u0026amp; The Chosen Few return with \u003ci\u003eThe Almighty\u003c\/i\u003e, their latest quartet offering since 2021's \u003ci\u003eCosmic Transition\u003c\/i\u003e. This musical journey delves into profound principles through Collier's compositions and lyrics, aiming to connect with listeners on a spiritual and universal level. : The album explores the themes of love, compassion, and perspective deeply, using music as a conduit for spiritual communication and understanding. The renowned Chicago vocalist Dee Alexander lends her soulful voice to Love, delivering a message of love and unity. Collier's personal lyrics resonate throughout the album. Also features the legendary saxophonist Ari Brown, Collier's mentor, who enriches the album with his expertise, particularly on the poignant track \"Compassion.\" From energetic peaks to tranquil moments, each track unfolds with meticulous musicianship and a commitment to spiritual exploration.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50474805559627,"sku":"2214780","price":39.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/product_id._cd025c4b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727438479"},{"product_id":"parallel-universe-4","title":"Parallel Universe","description":"\u003cp\u003eMulti-instrumentalist and composer Isaiah Collier connects with the divine ancestors on a transcendent Direct-To-Disc session, Parallel Universe\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChicago-based innovator and educator Isaiah Collier is opening up new dimensions in the jazzwise continuum. A saxophonist by trade whose multi-instrumental talents and compositional prowess have stretched the limits of the form, Parallel Universe represents a new chapter in Collier’s musical journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHaving already performed with a diverse range of musicians such as Chance The Rapper, Waddada Leo Smith, Chicago jazz royalty Angel Bat Dawid and his own band The Chosen Few, Collier’s latest work as a bandleader explores the shared musical heritage of the African diaspora with a sense of grace and assurance that belies his years. Embracing the risk and vulnerability that comes with the live process, Collier and his band tapped into the frequencies of improvisation that fired up so many of the most timeless jazz recordings. “Recording directto-disc gave me a really fortunate opportunity to experience what our musical predecessors almost a hundred years ago were dealing with,” he explains.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eName-checking Sun Ra, Ras G, J Dilla, Fela Kuti, Miles Davis, Gil ScottHeron, Whitney Huston, Aaliyah and Frankie Knuckles, the opening track of Parallel Universe imagines a genreless musical lineage that resonates with the polyphony of stories his band bring to the table, from Chicago and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeaturing gospel soul singer Jimetta Rose, AACM and former Art Ensemble of Chicago trumpet player Corey Wilkes, blues-rooted guitarist Michael Damani, regular collaborators Julian Davis Reid, James Russell Sims and Micah Collier, the 8-track album bristles with a sense of love and understanding between players at the top of their game. Nowhere is this more evident than on the album’s 13-minute centrepiece, ‘Village Song’, in which Collier evokes the spiritual, psychological and emotional home of the African diaspora in song. “I want to speak to everybody of the African diaspora, truly in its entirety,” he explains, “from all the way of being back in the motherland, to the new lands we’ve come to.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRooted in the percussion of Sonny Daze and the kalimba of Radius, ‘Village Song’ is a joyous and affirmative celebration of that unity. Picking up the flute, Collier explains, was also a part of that narrative: “The saxophone was not made in Africa so the concept of going back into the village we have to go back to our village instruments and dialect.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith vocals sung in Yoruba - inspired by a gift from legendary saxophonist Kenny Garrett - ‘Village Song’ soars between rhythms and references, from Afro-Cuban syncopation to the deep triplet swing of mid-‘60s Coltrane. Laying the foundations for the album as a whole, the result is truly exhilarating, “Give me that feeling that makes me feel like I’m alive,” Collier enthuses. “People can tell when you’re taking chances. I know that’s what everybody is looking for.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Night Dreamer","offers":[{"title":"Black LPx2","offer_id":50506964107595,"sku":"2156613","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/unnamed_17_cdd30bd2_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727834503"},{"product_id":"the-world-is-on-fire-2","title":"The World is On Fire","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe World is On Fire\u003c\/em\u003e is \u003cstrong\u003eCollier's\u003c\/strong\u003e observation journal reflecting on the tumultuous period from before the pandemic to the present day. The title itself wields his lens on vile acts committed by those in power addressing themes of economic upheaval, systemic racism, and the relentless fight for justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe album is the final body of work with his quartet, \u003cstrong\u003eThe Chosen Few\u003c\/strong\u003e, marking the closing chapter of the group’s 8-year journey. The potency of \u003cstrong\u003eCollier's\u003c\/strong\u003e compositions is reinforced by utilizing harrowing real-life news clips throughout the album that radiate the urgency, somberness, and turmoil during this time in history as the album as a whole serves as a requiem for countless lives lost and injustices that remain unacknowledged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe World Is On Fire\u003c\/em\u003e showcases \u003cstrong\u003eCollier's\u003c\/strong\u003e fiery approach as a bandleader with tightly focused solos on both Alto and Tenor Saxophone, that are interwoven with the other musicians. As \u003cstrong\u003eThe Chosen Few\u003c\/strong\u003e prepare for their curtain call, \u003cem\u003eThe World is On Fire\u003c\/em\u003e is a final offering that is more than a collection of songs—it’s a passionate plea for awareness, understanding, and change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the journey of sound and reflection, \u003cstrong\u003eCollier\u003c\/strong\u003e urges us all to play a role in crafting a more just and equitable world. \u003cq\u003eThe record addresses the uncertainty of our future—both individually and collectively. We stand on the precipice of an unknown journey, and my goal is to find inspiration and insight into where we might be headed. This journey encompasses mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional transformation, driven by a burning passion to foster a better world.\u003c\/q\u003e - Isaiah Collier\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"Black LPx2","offer_id":51181204603211,"sku":"2242221","price":39.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Screenshot_2024-10-17_at_11.17.00AM_bc30ccb9_thumbnail__a867a916_thumbnail.webp?v=1738242818"},{"product_id":"the-ancients","title":"The Ancients","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe debut recording by The Ancients, the intergenerational coalition of Isaiah Collier, William Hooker, \u0026amp; William Parker formed by Parker to play concerts in conjunction with the Milford Graves Mind Body Deal exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles \u0026amp; now a working group. Across two LPs of side-length long-form improvised sets recorded at 2220 arts \u0026amp; archives in LA \u0026amp; the chapel in San Francisco, The Ancients bring the free jazz trio languages first explored by the Cecil Taylor Unit \u0026amp; Ornette Coleman’s - Golden Circle band (expanded upon in later eras by Sam Rivers' Trio \u0026amp; Parker’s collective trios with Charles Gayle\/Graves \u0026amp; Peter Brötzmann\/Hamid Drake) into their own unique \u0026amp; scintillating realms of expression. As we tumble further into the throes of history’s tides, people of hope \u0026amp; creativity rely on the works of our great artists to lift our spirits \u0026amp; focus our resolve. -Ascension- was recorded less than a year after the passage of the civil rights act \u0026amp; four months after the assassination of Malcolm X. -Journey In Satchidananda- was recorded the month Reagan was re-elected governor of California. M’boom made its debut recording weeks after the Watergate scandal broke \u0026amp; a couple months after the Wounded Knee occupation ended. The music of The Ancients builds on these great musical legacies. it resounds with the pride of survival \u0026amp; the joys of making \u0026amp; sharing music. It delivers to us hope \u0026amp; balm. something real in you, real in history, \u0026amp; real in the music is shared, right on time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aguirre","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":51245616496971,"sku":"2239171","price":37.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":51245617414475,"sku":"2239179","price":25.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_f29f022c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1739225937"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/fr\/collections\/isaiah-collier-and-the-chosen-few.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}