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 is full 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