Music Frees Our Souls, Vol. 1, by Francisco Mela feat. Matthew Shipp and William Parker

Music Frees Our Souls, Vol. 1

by Francisco Mela feat. Matthew Shipp and William Parker

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Exclusive limited edition of 100 blue vinyl, only available directly from us or from the artists

Beautifully designed vinyl LP with printed inner sleeve
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edition of 100 2 remaining

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1.	Light of Mind 20:14	buy track
2.	Dark Light 03:51 video	buy track
3.	Infinite Consciousness 17:16	buy track

about

Before any instrumentation, Francisco Mela addresses his fellow musicians, pianist Matthew Shipp and bassist William Parker, with a sense of anticipation and affirmation, “Okay guys, ready? Rolling!” The sense of camaraderie and his artist-focused approach is heard throughout the album’s majestic improvisation—as well as in its inspiration, dedicated to Mela’s longtime musical partner, the legendary jazz musician McCoy Tyner. Tyner was well-known for his boundless musical talent, and perhaps best-known for playing in John Coltrane’s quartet, which revolutionized the jazz world and reverberated through the music world at large. But it was his mentorship that truly touched Francico Mela: Tyner encouraged him to explore the boundaries of both his personal expression and his musical ability, affirming the philosophical conviction that music was a gateway to liberation. That pursuit of freedom was a lifelong aspiration, and one borne from community. Mela recalls performing at New York City’s Blue Note with McCoy Tyner, on a specific night when maestro Cecil Taylor came to listen to McCoy’s trio. Tyner and Taylor shared a conversation, and afterwards Tyner returned backstage, gently confiding in Mela, “I wish I were that free. We play music to free our souls.” Likewise, Tyner encouraged Mela to pursue his broadening interests, inspiring Francisco to embrace experimentation and musical freedom.

In Music Frees Our Souls Vol. 1, Mela, Shipp and Parker compose an album that is equally innovative and welcoming, offering the best of experimental jazz and paying homage to McCoy Tyner’s indelible creative influence. This is the first chapter of Francisco Mela’s Music Frees Our Souls trilogy dedicated to McCoy, always featuring William Parker on bass but with different piano players on each volume. The album, Francisco Mela’s second from 577 Records following MPT Trio (2021), will be available on limited edition blue vinyl (100 copies), black vinyl, CD, digital. Music Frees Our Souls Vol. 2 & 3 will be released in the near future.

credits

released September 17, 2021

Matthew Shipp - Piano
William Parker - Bass
Francisco Mela - Drums

Recorded November 13, 2020 by Jeremy Loucas at Douglass Recording, Brooklyn, New York
Assistant engineer: Juanma Trujillo
Mixed and mastered by Jeremy Loucas at Sear Sound, New York City

Photos by Kenneth Jimenez
Graphic design by Sergio Vezzali

Music by Matthew Shipp (Matt Shipp Music, ASCAP), William Parker (Centering Music, BMI), Francisco Mela (BMI)

577 Records is an independent record label
based in Brooklyn, New York
operating since 2001

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577 Records Brooklyn, New York

577 Records is proud to be celebrating its 22 year anniversary. The label has been producing music since 2001 and has released albums featuring the work of artists from New York and around the world.

The name comes from the address of the house where these concerts first took place (577 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, New York).

100% of profit from the sale of most of these albums goes to the musicians. ... more

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