GARY BARTZ NTU TROOP’s "I've Known Rivers and Other Bodies" #jazzdispensary

Jazz Dispensary announces the latest release in its acclaimed Top Shelf series: Gary Bartz NTU Troop's landmark 1973 live album I've Known Rivers and Other Bodies. https://i.jazzdispensary.com/bartzrivers Originally released on Prestige Records and recorded live at the legendary 1973 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the double album captures Bartz and his ensemble’s powerful live performance that has become a favorite among collectors and spiritual jazz devotees. Now, as part of Jazz Dispensary's ongoing 10th anniversary celebration, the album returns to vinyl for the first time in more than 50 years. As with every title in the meticulously curated Top Shelf series, I've Known Rivers and Other Bodies has been restored with all-analog (AAA) mastering by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, with 180-gram vinyl pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing, and housed in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket. Arriving November 13, the album is available for pre-order now with the track “I’ve Known Rivers” available to listen to today. Recorded at the Montreux Festival, I've Known Rivers and Other Bodies features Gary Bartz on saxophone, and vocals, alongside pianist Hubert Eaves, bassist Stafford James, and drummer Howard King. Together, the quartet delivers an expansive performance that blends original compositions with extended improvisation across more than seventy minutes of music. Released during a prolific period for Bartz, the album showcases material that has become closely associated with the saxophonist and the NTU Troop, including "Nommo - The Majick Song," "Jujuman," "The Warriors' Song," "Uhuru Sasa," and the album's title track, "I've Known Rivers." One of the album's defining moments is Bartz's performance of "I've Known Rivers," which incorporates lyrics from Langston Hughes' celebrated poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." Supported by Eaves, James, and King, Bartz delivers a moving vocal interpretation that remains one of the most memorable recordings in the album's program. The recordings also highlight the chemistry between Bartz and pianist Hubert Eaves, whose acoustic and electric piano work provides both harmonic depth and momentum throughout the performance. Combined with the rhythmic foundation supplied by Stafford James and Howard King, the quartet creates a dynamic and immersive live document that remains compelling more than five decades after it was recorded. I've Known Rivers and Other Bodies remains an essential document of live jazz in the 1970s and a standout title in the Prestige catalog. This new Jazz Dispensary Top Shelf edition offers listeners the opportunity to experience the album with all-analog mastering from the original tapes and premium audiophile production throughout. The release continues Jazz Dispensary's year-long 10th anniversary celebration, highlighting landmark recordings from across the worlds of jazz, funk, fusion, and beyond. With its historic festival setting, inspired performances, and long-awaited return to vinyl, I've Known Rivers and Other Bodies stands as a fitting addition to the Top Shelf series. Click here to pre-order/pre-save I've Known Rivers and Other Bodies: https://i.jazzdispensary.com/bartzrivers #jazzdispensary #garybartz Transmitting at a higher frequency since 2016. Sit back, relax, and get groovy with Jazz Dispensary's selections ranging from acid-jazz and funk, to spiritual jazz and fusion and beyond. Subscribe to Jazz Dispensary's YouTube channel: https://ffm.link/jdytsub-gv Shop for vinyl, merch and more at https://ffm.link/jdstore-gv Check out 2025's "Dream a Dream with Studio G: Cratedigger’s Archive (1970–2009)": https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRwUh1EbTHStA872z53um5MjcGcwGv2og Follow Jazz Dispensary: Website: https://ffm.link/jdwebsite-gv YouTube: https://ffm.link/jdytsub-gv Facebook: https://ffm.link/jdfb-gv X: https://ffm.link/jdx-gv Instagram: https://ffm.link/jdig-gv Spotify: https://ffm.link/jdspotify-gv TikTok: https://ffm.link/jdtiktok-gv