ALL MUSICS FOR ALL PEOPLES – Sound Of Detroit – Motor City Rhythms – Carhartt WIP has teamed up with DJ Amir Abdullah (of Kon & Amir) to assist with the creation of a modest Strata clothing collection plus a radio broadcast and a limited edition magazine.

Detroit 2015 remains a symbol of a dark side of America’s post-industrial economy but with or without the motor industry, the city remains a unique place for musicians, producers and djs. Whether from rock, soul, funk, jazz or techno the inner city experiences, insights and emotions of these Chicago rooted artists have consistently translated into an array very unique  Detroit manifestations.

Since 2013, Carhartt WIP has paid tribute to the music of the Motor City with its bi-annual Sound Of Detroit T-Shirt series and this latest selection pays tribute to the outstanding work of the legendary, underground Detroit based Strata label.

All Musics For All Peoples is the original slogan taken from the 1974 Strata Catalogue,

Strata Records was launched by pianist Kenny Cox and trumpeter Charles Moore in the late 1960s. It became a vibrant hub for Detroit’s jazz scene in the late Sixties and early Seventies and it was a destination for heavyweight musicians like Charles Mingus, Elvin Jones and Herbie Hancock whenever they were in town. Strata’s principles were focused on artistic freedom, a philosophy that is still going strong to this day. Their albums embody a wonderfully expansive approach to music-making that is truly distinct, and although they were pressed in small quantities, their cult following continues to expand.

Original artwork for a Herbie Hancock show at the Strata Concert Gallery 46 Selden Street in Detroit, 1973.

Strata was independent, run and owned by artists, released less than ten records and was established an art gallery-come-live venue that started the first university Jazz music program to educate and create awareness following the Detroit riots of ’67 and ’68. In 2010,  Amir Abdullah was commissioned to create a lost youth culture exhibit for a Detroit online museum. He chose to celebrate Strata’s huge impact by re–issuing their catalogue through his own label 180 Proof Records.

Above: The Detroit Jazz Renaissance was a public project of the Allied Artists Association with the support of the Michigan Council of Arts and the Detroit Council of Arts. Started at the end of the 1970‘s in an effort to support the crumbling Detroit Jazz scene one of the main aims of the Jazz Renaissance was to find and even build new venues for the music. The logo is taken from a 1979 poster promoting a show of Detroit jazz artists.

To check the free spirited and groundbreaking sound of Strata Records check the Carhartt WIP Radio broadcast where DJ Amir takes us on a personal journey through the goldmine of Strata records that features music by artists like Maulawi, The Lyman Woodard Organization, Kenny Cox and The Soulmates. https://soundcloud.com/carharttwip/carhartt-wip-radio-september-2015

Tracklist:
Maulawi – People Make The World Go Round
The Contemporary Jazz Quintet – Nguzo Saba (Struggle)
Larry Nozero – Tune For L.N.
The Lyman Woodard Organization – Help Me Get Away
Maulawi – Naima
Sam Sanders – Face At My Window
Fito Foster – Salsa Pt. 1
Kenny Cox – Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise
The Soulmates – I’m Really Gonna Miss You
Maulawi – Maiden Voyage
Sphere – Where
Maulawi – Eltition

Pin based on original artwork taken from a 1979 tour poster promo-ting an all-star show of Detroit Jazz artists

http://shop.carhartt-wip.com/view/gb/men/tshirts/soundofdetroit