Charles Tolliver's Music Inc. Live at Slug's Volume I & II (AAA) 180g 2LP

TAS Rated 4.5/5 Music, 4.5/5 Sonics in the Fall 2025 Issue of The Absolute Sound!

For the first time ever, Charles Tolliver's Live at Slugs', Volumes I & II will be released together in one set, presenting the full power of these historic performances in a unified collection. Recorded live in 1970 at the legendary Slugs' in New York City, the albums feature Tolliver's fiery trumpet alongside an all-star lineup: Strata-East co-founder Stanley Cowell on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Jimmy Hopps on drums. These high-energy recordings capture the raw intensity and innovation of the Music Inc. quartet, showcasing their technical brilliance and cohesive interplay.

Remastered in stunning detail, this release unites two of the most celebrated live albums in jazz history for the first time on CD and digital platforms, as well as on 180-gram vinyl. Pressed at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) and mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio with audio transferred directly from the original analog tapes, the vinyl edition comes in high-quality, glossy tip-on gatefold jackets. It also includes new liner notes by Marcus J. Moore and never-before-seen photos, making this release a must-have for jazz enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Individually and collectively, the players, all then in their late 20s or early 30s, push tempos and melodies just shy of their breaking points. Both Tolliver and Cowell flew under the general audience's radar during their long careers, but fly they did—to dizzying heights of imagination and technical facility on these six extended pieces. The remastered audio, transferred to vinyl from the original tapes by Kevin Gray, captures instrumental placement and club ambience with astounding detail and warmth.