Hard-to-find jazz fusion recordings from the respected Muse Records catalog are back in print thanks to a coordinated effort involving Craft Recordings, The Jazz Dispensary, Time Traveler series curated by Zev Feldman, and Virgin Music Group.
Founded by veteran executive Joe Fields, Muse Records was established to carry forward the independent jazz ethos of the 1950s and 1960s, following in the footsteps of influential labels like Prestige Records and Milestone Records—with an emphasis on artist-driven releases and forward-leaning jazz that didn’t fit neatly into the mainstream.
Acclaimed producer Zev Feldman’s Time Traveler series of audiophile-oriented Muse Records reissues are limited-run 180-gram vinyl LPs pressed at Germany’s respected Optimal Media. Featuring analog disc mastering from the original tapes by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab, these releases are housed in high-gloss laminated Stoughton Printing tip-on jackets.
The Jazz Dispensary releases follow a similar audiophile approach, with AAA lacquers cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and vinyl pressed at RTI. Each LP is housed in an audiophile-grade plastic-lined inner sleeve, and to date the pressings have been consistently quiet, flat, and well-centered.
Catalyst, Perception
I have to admit that the press release describing Catalyst as the “funkiest band you’ve never heard” is probably spot on. Growing up in the 1970s, I was deeply immersed in the progressive jazz-fusion movement and still managed to miss this group entirely. Hailing from Philadelphia, the regionally acclaimed but short-lived quartet was part of the early wave of fusion innovators, operating in the same ecosystem as Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Weather Report. Competition at that level was fierce, so it’s not entirely surprising that Catalyst ended up overshadowed despite its obvious chops and forward momentum.
The 10-piece Catalyst were clearly an excellent band featuring power players like Odean Pope (Max Roach), Eddie Green and Norman Harris (MFSB, Salsoul Orchestra), Billy Hart (Herbie Hancock) and synth pioneer Pat Gleason (also Herbie Hancock). Perception is a fine ‘n funky jazz fusion listening experience though I admit it is a “grower” album — that is, there is not the immediacy of composition and hooks you’ll find on many of the cornerstone LPs of jazz fusion. But if you like the form, this is some good stuff for sure from the relative early days (recorded in 1972).
Where to buy: $32.99 at Amazon
Carlos Garnett, Cosmo Nucleus
Another artist I somehow missed along the way, Carlos Garnett’s fourth Muse release from 1976 is a big-band fusion journey with real ambition. Featuring a lineup that includes Kenny Kirkland on piano and Cecil McBee on bass, the album leans heavily toward jazz-rock fusion, recalling the brassy, high-energy approach explored by Maynard Fergusonand Woody Herman, as well as rock-adjacent outfits like Chase, Ambergris, and Chicago.
Stylistically, parts of the record also bring to mind Frank Zappa’s The Grand Wazoo and Waka/Jawaka, especially the horn harmonies.
Some of this feels a little schmaltzy at points, notably opening track “Saxy” which I assume was geared for radio play on soul jazz leaning stations of the times. Like Catalyst, Garnett’s music has been growing on me after repeated listens.
Where to buy: $39.98 at Amazon
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
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