Gary Bartz NTU Troop / Gary Bartz - Celestial Blues / Gentle Smiles

Ace Records' BGP imprint has earned a reputation for issuing impeccably curated 7-inch releases, and this pairing of Celestial Blues and Gentle Smiles is one of its finest. Bringing together two standout recordings from different stages of Gary Bartz's remarkable career, the single serves as both an introduction to one of jazz's most adventurous saxophonists and a celebration of his enduring influence on soul, funk and hip-hop.

The A-side, Celestial Blues, originally appeared on the landmark 1971 album Harlem Bush Music – Uhuru, recorded by Gary Bartz's NTU Troop. Featuring the sublime vocals of Andy Bey, the track is widely regarded as one of the defining recordings of the spiritual jazz movement. Built around Bartz's expressive alto saxophone, Bey's haunting vocal delivery and a hypnotic rhythm section, the piece effortlessly blends jazz improvisation with soul, gospel and Afrocentric influences. More than fifty years after its release, it remains a deeply moving performance, balancing political consciousness with spiritual reflection in a way that few records of the era achieved.

While Celestial Blues has become a cornerstone of spiritual jazz, it has also found a new audience through the modern jazz renaissance, inspiring contemporary artists and featuring prominently on influential compilations celebrating the genre. Its timeless message and rich musicality explain why it continues to resonate with collectors and listeners discovering the music for the first time.

The B-side shifts gears into Gary Bartz's jazz-funk period with Gentle Smiles (Saxy), a beautifully relaxed groove that highlights his melodic playing and sophisticated arrangements. Originally released on Bartz's 1977 album Music Is My Sanctuary, the track has become especially well known among hip-hop fans after A Tribe Called Quest sampled it for Butter on their seminal 1991 album The Low End Theory. The warm electric piano, fluid bass line and Bartz's effortlessly lyrical saxophone provided the perfect backdrop for one of the group's smoothest productions, further cementing the saxophonist's legacy beyond the jazz world.

Listening to Gentle Smiles on its own reveals just how much musical depth lay behind that famous sample. Rather than simply providing a memorable loop, the original unfolds with subtle harmonic changes, tasteful solos and an unhurried groove that rewards attentive listening. It's a masterclass in late-1970s jazz-funk, combining technical excellence with remarkable accessibility.

Together, these two tracks showcase the extraordinary breadth of Gary Bartz's artistry. Celestial Blues captures the searching, spiritually driven sound of the early 1970s, while Gentle Smiles reflects the smoother, groove-oriented direction that characterised much of his later work. Despite their contrasting styles, both recordings are united by Bartz's unmistakable tone, lyrical phrasing and ability to bridge jazz with soul, funk and popular music.

For vinyl collectors, this release is an inspired piece of curation. Rather than serving as a straightforward reissue, it presents two of Bartz's most influential recordings in an accessible 7-inch format, making it equally appealing to jazz enthusiasts, DJs and sample hunters. Whether you're drawn to the transcendent beauty of Celestial Blues, the irresistible groove of Gentle Smiles, or the connection to A Tribe Called Quest's Butter, this single is a reminder of why Gary Bartz remains one of the most important and influential saxophonists of the past six decades.

Essential listening for anyone exploring spiritual jazz, jazz-funk or the deep musical roots of hip-hop, this is a beautifully chosen release that more than lives up to BGP's outstanding reputation for quality reissues.