BYRON MORRIS & UNITY: Blow Thru Your Mind LP EPI02 UK RE 1990 Rare Spiritual Jazz NM

In December 1973, Byron Morris' band Unity entered a studio in White Plains, NY, and recorded its first LP, Blow Thru Your Mind. That session wasn't Morris' first experience in a studio. In 1969, Morris and trumpeter Gerald Wise recorded their Unity session for EPI Records -- before Morris co-founded a group called Unity, the saxman was part of an LP called Unity. Blow Thru Your Mind, which first came out on vinyl in 1974, was EPI's second release.  Because Morris isn't nearly as well known as he deserves to be, the music on this LP is excellent. A major departure from the dissonant free jazz that Morris explored on 1969's Unity session, Blow Thru Your Mind contains modal post-bop that is melodic and relatively accessible. This is a very spiritual album; a lot of spirituality goes into the solos of Morris and trumpeter Vincent McEwan, as well as the ethereal vocals of female singer Jay Clayton (who is featured on tracks like "Ether," "Reunion," and "Transcendental Lullaby"). Blow Thru Your Mind is enthusiastically recommended to anyone who is seriously into modal jazz

This is wonderful, joyous music. Combines the best elements of "Black Spiritual Jazz" and 70s soul jazz. Like the above review says, it is accessible to those not down for some of the intensities of other free jazz. I just wish it was easier to find.