VA - Jazz Dispensary: The Golden Hour

Get ready to immerse yourself in a world where the soundscapes of sunbaked sands and the cold sea breeze blend together seamlessly to create one dank groove blast. We proudly present The Golden Hour: a new compilation of sizzlers that evoke the feeling of floating on a cool, lone wave while soaking in the last sunbeams of the day, with tunes from renowned groove masters Johnny Hammond, Sonny Rollins, Chico Hamilton, Vince Guaraldi, Catalyst, and more. Coming to participating record stores all over the world on November 29th for RSD Black Friday and available to stream now, the artwork for The Golden Hour features artwork from acclaimed visual artist Kamil Czapiga, who filmed special color inks reacting to songs from the album with microscopic cameras to create the cover art.

The Golden Hour compilation opens with “Web,” an energizing, yet laid-back cut off pianist Hampton Hawes’ 1974 LP, Northern Windows. The recording, led by the great David Axelrod, features drums and bass by legendary session players Spider Webb and Carol Kaye, respectively. Next is “Soul Talk,” the uptempo title track off organist Johnny “Hammond” Smith’s 1969 LP, followed by Sonny Rollins’ funky “Newkleus.” The track, which appeared on the saxophonist’s 1975 album, Nucleus, was composed by frequently sampled R&B star James Mtume, who also delivers a heady dose of standout guitar licks. Cornetist Nat Adderley closes out the set with the hard bop–infused “Fortune’s Child,” off his 1978 album, A Little New York Midtown Music.

The breeze picks up on side B with “Cántaro,” a bold and sultry number (penned by Axelrod) off saxophonist Gene Ammons’ 1974 LP, Brasswind, followed by Vince Guaraldi’s “Little Birdie,” a hip 1973 cue for Peanuts sidekick Woodstock (and featuring a rare vocal performance by the best-selling pianist/composer). Drummer Chico Hamilton chills down the vibes with “Gengis,” a soulful and languid instrumental off his 1973 collab with Little Feat, The Master. Rounding out the album is “Suite for Albeniz,” a seductive Eastern-influenced selection from Philly fusion pioneers Catalyst, off 1976’s A Tear and a Smile. Don’t get lost in the weeds!

Tracklist:
1. Hampton Hawes – Web (Remastered 2024)
2. Johnny "Hammond" Smith – Soul Talk–1970 (Remastered 2024)
3. Sonny Rollins – Newkleus (Remastered 2024)
4. Nat Adderley – Fortune's Child (Remastered 2024)
5. Gene Ammons – Cántaro (Remastered 2024)
6. Vince Guaraldi Trio – Little Birdie
7. Chico Hamilton – Gengis
8. Catalyst – Suite For Albeniz (Remastered 2024)