The always interesting First Word Records is back once again with another stellar release for your record shelves. This time they get with drummer Myele Manzanza and catch him with an all star line up of collaborators at the jazz institution of Los Angeles, The Blue Whale for OnePointOne (Live at the Blue Whale). Manzanza, an in demand drummer and sideman, has collaborated and toured with Theo Parrish, Maek de Clive-Lowe, Sorceress, Amp Fiddler, Miguel Atwood-Fergueson, First Word label mate Ross McHenry, and Jordan Rakei among others. Deeply rooted in jazz and African rhythm, with a great love and appreciation for hip hop and dance music, this live recording is definitely as diverse as his influences. Getting his groove on with Marke de Clive-Lowe on piano/electronics, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Quartetto Fantastico (led by Miguel Atwood-Fergueson), vocalists Nia Andrews + Charlie K and bassist Ben Shepherd, this very limited edition vinyl sees the line up doing a variety of tunes that encapsulate jazz and beyond. The live set includes tunes from his debut record, covers of Theo Parrish, Jill Scott, and Bobby Hutcherson. If you are a fan of good music, then we urge you to support a release like this. If you weren’t there, this recording puts you there in the mix. It’s captivating and beautiful at the same time. Top notch musicians doing what they do best, playing great music for the masses. A moment in time captured on this live recording. It may be gone, but not forgotten in this record. The track, “City of Atlantis”, arranged by Atwood Fergueson, was also caught on video by Mochilla’s Eric Coleman. If you’re not familiar with Mochilla, please get familiar. They have been documenting some of the best music and cultural events for the last few decades. True pioneers at capturing some of the most exciting stuff. Watch the teaser video below, and stream the entire record as well. Another record that will go down as one of the great live recordings, a future classic indeed.

Get the limited edition vinyl here.

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