• Limited Edition Double 140 Gram LP inside a heavyweight reverse-board Gatefold jacket with flooded black pockets, IARC obi strip and dome-patterned inner-sleeves.

Chicago bassist and tights enthusiast Junius Paul delivers a wide-screen jazz experience on Ism (International Anthem). His impressive solo debut kicks off with “You Are Free to Choose,” a blast of free playing that clears the slate for a double-album blending post-bop energy and the sort of African spiritualism heralded by Paul’s latest team, the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Drummer-sampler Makaya McCraven, in whose band Paul also plays, works his signature editing magic on the 19-minute jazz odyssey “Spocky Chainsey Has Re-Emerged” and the nearly 12-minute “Paris,” which ratchets up to a driving club-friendly groove. Second City jazz stalwarts Vincent Davis (drums), Justin Dillard (piano) and Corey Wilkes (horns) help turn Ism into a prism.

PERSONNEL:

• Bass & Production – Junius Paul
• Produced by Makaya McCraven

• Tracks 1, 8, 9, 10 & 16 recorded January 9th 2019 at Decade Studios, Old Town, Chicago, featuring Junius Paul, Vincent Davis, Justin Dillard & Corey Wilkes.
  • Tracks 2, 3 & 4 recorded June 30th 2016 at Comfort Station, Logan Square, Chicago, featuring Junius Paul, Isaiah Spencer, Jim Baker & Rajiv Halim.
    • Tracks 5, 6 & 7 recorded August 23rd 2016 at the Polish Triangle, Wicker Park, Chicago, featuring Junius Paul, Vincent Davis, Justin Dillard & Corey Wilkes.
      • Track 11 recorded December 20th 2016 at The Hideout, Goose Island, Chicago, featuring Junius Paul, Makaya McCraven & Marquis Hill.
        • Track 12 recorded April 2nd 2018 at Co-Prosperity Sphere, Bridgeport, Chicago, featuring Junius Paul, Vincent Davis, Justin Dillard & Corey Wilkes.
          • Track 13 recorded July 26th 2016 at The Polish Triangle, Wicker Park, Chicago, featuring Junius Paul, Shanta Nurullah, Isaiah Spencer, Scott Hesse, Irvin Pierce & Makaya McCraven.
            • Tracks 14 & 15 recorded June 2nd 2016 at Comfort Station, Logan Square, Chicago, featuring Junius Paul, Tomeka Reid & Isaiah Spencer.
              • Track 17 recorded December 13th & 20th 2016 at The Hideout, Goose Island, Chicago, featuring Junius Paul, William Kirk, Xavier Breaker & Makaya McCraven.

TRACKS:

• A1 You Are Free To Choose
• A2 Bowl Hit
• A3 View From The Moon
• A4 Baker's Dozen
• A5 Ase
• A6 The One Who Endures
• B1 Spocky Chainsey Has Re-Emerged
• C1 Georgia
• C2 Twelve Eighteen West
• C3 Collant Denier
• C4 Paris
• D1 Tune No.6
• D2 Sprouts
• D3 Fred Anderson And A Half
• D4 Ma And Dad
• D5 Two Minute Warning
• D6 Outro