ISAIAH COLLIER & THE CHOSEN FEW『Return Of The Black Emperor』CD

The origin of Isaiah Collier, the saxophonist leading the new generation of Chicago jazz! Set against the spirit of spiritual jazz and Chicago's improvisational music, this shocking debut by the young Collier showcases overwhelming energy and free creativity, paving the way for his later breakthroughs! [World First Vinyl Release]

Released in 2018 by Isaiah Collier, a saxophonist leading the new generation of Chicago jazz, with The Chosen Few, this work is an early masterpiece that vividly showcased Collier's musicality at the age of 20 and became the starting point of his musical exploration that continues to the present day.

At the core of the album is Collier's unique sound, which inherits the lineage of spiritual jazz led by John Coltrane while set against the rich tradition of Chicago jazz/improvisational music. In the title track "Return Of The Black Emperor," the saxophone races freely through the tension created by the heavy rhythm, piano, and guitar, while "War Song" delivers an intense and energetic performance. On the other hand, "I Am Who I Be" and "Before You Go" reveal introspective expressions within their strength.

Furthermore, through 11 tracks spanning approximately 66 minutes, including the spiritually resonant "Mali," the gospel-rooted "Wade In The Water," and the over 12-minute "Heath's Groove," the young Collier's broad musical interests are condensed. This work, which can be called the origin of Isaiah, who would go on to establish a presence in the contemporary jazz scene in subsequent releases, is a record that conveys the strong will of a young saxophonist trying to update the language of his own era while inheriting jazz since Coltrane.