Ali Brown

United State Of Mind is a fantastic new album which brings together three very different UK music legends: Robin Trower, Maxi Priest and Livingstone Brown. Three artists with distinctive, trademark sounds and styles that dovetail and fuse to-gether, creating an excellent whole that's full of atmosphere, allure and a whole lotta soul. USM combines Marvin, R & B, Jimi tones and subtly funky blues to excellent effect' CLASSIC ROCK 'Soul drenched excellence' GET READY TO ROCK 'Elegant and soulful, yet gritty and danceable when called for, United State Of Mind is a collaboration built on mutual love and respect ' the heartfelt lyrics, the stunning call and response between Maxi's vocals and Robin's guitar, not to mention the additional flourishes brought to the table by Livingston Brown all serve to make this an absolute joy. Put simply, United State Of Mind is an inspirational offering.

There's early work with Eric Dolphy and McCoy Tyner in Charles Mingus' Jazz Workshop, work with Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln, a stint in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, and also one with Miles. There's his groundbreaking and highly influential Ntu Troop albums of the early 70s and his jazz-funk work including two classic albums with the Mizell Brothers, one of which supplied A Tribe Called Quest with a sample that was smooth like butter. That's not to mention appearances on beloved albums by Pharoah Sanders, Donald Byrd, Norman Connors, Roy Ayers, Gene Ammons, Phyllis Hyman, Jackie McLean and many others. This is what Gary Bartz brings to the Jazz Is Dead project and as can be expected, his questing spirit fits the JID style like a glove and has produced an album that's a cutting-edge addition to his immense canon as he effortlessly interfaces with a new generation.

In the music industry, time moves ten times faster. There is no pause given to greatness, and legends can vanish amidst the churn of the hit parade. It is no minor miracle, then, that in the face of a deadly pandemic and faltering supply chain, Jazz Is Dead has returned with another offering of top-shelf recordings, paying tribute to past legends and new school torchbearers alike. Whether you’ve known the names of Jazz Is Dead Series 2’s featured guests, or are just meeting them for the first time, prepare to be blown away.