Delicious... streaming now, CD out in late-July this Sunnyside label release is a must for fans of driving US hard bop, the release, a nice touch, presented by Connecticut jazz spot The Side Door Jazz Club. 

The Black Art Jazz Collective is really a super group and you’ve probably seen some of these stellar players, seen in the artwork above, over the years.

Among the sextet Collective founder drummer Johnathan Blake for instance was with Ravi Coltrane at Ronnie Scott’s last year and pulled off a terrific gig.

Saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, also heard down on Frith Street with the Mingus Big Band a little more recently, certainly stood out as he always does with the Mingusians thanks to his elegant artistry and soloing prowess.

And also in the collective trumpeter Jeremy Pelt was a fairly recent visitor to Soho too, hitting the sweet spot on a memorable night there with his Power Quintet.

The Collective has been together for three years, Vicente Archer on bass replacing the much missed Dwayne Burno.

Big on heritage and cultural respect possessing a curatorial eye and ear all round first listens definitely suggest, tunes include pieces inspired variously by W.E.B. DuBois, President Obama, Sojourner Truth and Joe Henderson. Have a listen, you’ll be hooked. Promise. SG