Originally released in 1972 in an edition of 300, one of the rarest and most rewarding cosmic jazz albums of all time is reissued for its first time! A group of Philadelphia musicians made up of Byard Lancaster, Khan Jamal, Monnette Sudler, Omar Hill, Dwight James, Rashid Salim and Billy Mill, SoL's funky yet spaced-out psychedelic jazz belongs in the same pantheon as Archie Shepp’s Blasé and Sun Ra’s Disco 3000. Recommended!

Hot Damn! Originally released in 1972 in an edition of 300, one of the rarest and most rewarding cosmic jazz albums of all time is finally available again. When I saw this coming through the Porter Records pipes, I couldn't contain my excitement. Take everything major happening on the Philadelphia scene in the early seventies -- Philadelphia International, John Coltrane, Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Arkestra -- and filter it through a funky and futuristic jazz ensemble and you get Sounds of Liberation. SoL drive home their explorative jams on the hinges of deep and heavy percussive rhythms and grooves with African and Eastern influences. This record belongs in the same pantheon as Archie Shepp's Blasé, Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra, and Sun Ra's Disco 3000. Bold statements indeed, but the ensemble behind Sounds of Liberation deserves such esteemed recognition; Byard Lancastar, who is on a number of phenomenal record collector LPs, takes his alto to 'Trane-like heights while the rest of the ensemble lays down the funk, including Khan Jamal on vibes, Omar Hill on percussion, Monette Sudler on guitar, Dwight James on drums, Rashid Salim on congas, and Billy Mills on bass. Apparently these guys even shared a stage with Kool and the Gang to play for the Miss Black America pageant. Funky, yet spaced-out, psychedelic jazz of the highest order, grab one before they disappear for the next forty years!

-Brian Cassidy (March 11, 2010)