ISAIAH COLLIER & THE CHOSEN FEW『Return Of The Black Emperor』2LP

★2-LP set
★First press limited edition
★World vinyl premiere

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 vinyl premiere】

Released in 2018 by Isaiah Collier, a saxophonist leading the new generation of Chicago jazz, with The Chosen Few, this work is a representative early masterpiece in which Collier, who was 20 years old at the time, vividly expressed his musicality, and it 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 being set against the rich tradition of Chicago jazz/improvisational music. On the title track "Return Of The Black Emperor," the saxophone roams freely through the tension created by the heavy rhythm, piano, and guitar, while "War Song" develops 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 spiritual-sounding "Mali," "Wade In The Water," which evokes gospel roots, and "Heath's Groove," which exceeds 12 minutes, the young Collier's wide musical interests are condensed. This work, which can be called the origin of Isaiah, who would later establish his presence in the contemporary jazz scene with subsequent releases, is a record that conveys the strong will of a young saxophonist who, while inheriting jazz since Coltrane, tries to update it into the language of his own era.