The Lightmen Plus One: Energy Control Center Vinyl 2LP

Working out of Houston, Texas, in the early ’70’s, The Lightmen released four albums of astounding spiritual / modal jazz that shines more light on the fact that there was amazing, boundary-pushing jazz that existed outside of the New York-Los Angeles nexus of 70’s jazz. Drummer, bandleader and activist Bubbha Thomas had toured America with various R&B revues and had been a session musician for some time before the political and social upheaval of the late 1960’s pushed him on a path first charted by Coltrane. This album is the 3rd of The Lightmen’s 4 albums, originally released in 1972 and currently fetching upwards of $600 on the second hand market. It’s not to be slept on, and as only Egon and Now-Again can do the album is remastered from the original tapes and isfull of in depth liner notes and bonus LP of alternate takes. 17 tracks in all pressed on 2 LP’s, housed in a gatefold sleeve with an extensive booklet by Lance Scott Walker detailing Bubbha and this album’s story. Includes a download code for wav files of songs, and video footage of live performances. DO NOT SLEEP. Released by Now-Again Records.

• 2 LP housed in gatefold sleeve
• remastered from original tapes
• extensive booklet by Lance Scott Walker detailing Bubbha and this album’s story
• download code included for wav files and footage of live performances
• music label: Now-Again 2018

reviewed by Ralphy Corduroy 2/2019

.