Sounds of Liberation

Both a jazz collective and a social movement, Sounds of Liberation was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1970. The group’s seven members - Khan Jamal (vibraphone), Byard Lancaster (alto saxophone), Billy Mills (bass), Dwight James (drums), Monnette Sudler (guitar), Omar Hill (percussion), and William Brister aka Rashid Salim (percussionist) – had ties with the Black Arts Movement and encouraged social activism through their music. Inspired by jazz artists like Pharoah Sanders and soul and funk icons like Curtis Mayfield, Sounds of Liberation played a blend of free jazz, funk, and spiritual jazz. While they may not have become phenomenally successful, they made a big impact in the jazz and African American communities in Philadelphia. The group played many gigs including some special shows for prison inmates. Sounds of Liberation released their debut album, New Horizons, in 1972. The critically acclaimed album sold well in Philadelphia and surrounding regions where the group was popular but was not as successful elsewhere. Although the band split up, a previously unreleased 1973 live recording was unearthed and finally issued as Unreleased in 2019. Alto saxophonist Byard Lancaster died on August 23, 2012.