DJ Amir returns to his favourite dig of a gold mine with the back catalogue of Strata Records for, 'DJ Amir presents Strata Records - The Sound of Detroit Vol 2' which is enough of a clue for you to know that your need this.
Of course, this assumes that not only you have Vol. 1 but also all the other Strata releases or indeed, Amir's 'revival' 180 Proof Records and that have been co-released with BBE over the past 13 years.
DJ Amir started out in Boston and was 50% of Kon & Amir 20 odd years ago and compiling BBE's 'Off Track Volume one: Bronx' and 'Off Track Volume Two: Queens' in 2007/8 before Amir emerced himself in Strata Records; "Detroit’s independent Black-owned music movement, and the city’s enduring influence as a global centre for innovative music and culture".
So, 23 tracks in Vol. 1 is augmented by a further 14 tracks in Vol. 2 and you can imagine the issues a guy who has the exclusive license rights to the legendary Strata Records back-catalogue would face with artists like, Charles Mingus (an Alt. take of 'Dizzy Profile' at 12 minutes long - so not the one on 5 LP set, 'Jazz In Detroit - Strata Concert Gallery, 46 Selden' from 2018), a couple of jazz-funkers by Lyman Woodard (not the classic 'Saturday Night Special as that was on Vol. 1 - and don't forget the Jazzanova 're-work' of 'Saturday Night Special' with Kai Alcé Ndatl and DJ Amir & Re.Decay Remixes), John Coltrane's even more classic 'Naima' as a jazzdance fusion by Maulaw, Herbie style fusion with The Contempoary Jazz Quintet (both tracks are full-on, especially 12 minutes of 'Unknown Track #3'), Larry Nozwero with some Latin flute gang biz 'Reflections Of My Past' and 'Samba de Romance' by Kenny Cox.
So whilst Detroit was more known for Motown's soul hits at the time, Strata representing here with Keith Boone & Janice Coomes ('Let Me Be The One') together with The Soulmates ('Sexy Mama' and 'I'm Really Going To Miss You'), 'The Sound Of Detroit Vol. 2' is proof that it had its own "deep jazz, funk and avent-garde traditions" as well as Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians/The Art Ensemble Of Chicage down the (Territorial) road.
As essential as Vol. 1 for diggers "diving into the funkier, groovier, avant-garde edges" whether they be Charles Mingus completist or a DJ after some rare soul-jazz big band (Ron English's 'Ultima Linda' is out-there!) - a 2026 must have.
Artist: Various Artists
Title: DJ Amir presents Strata Records-The Sound of Detroit Vol 2
Release date: 6th March, 2026
Label : BBE Music
Catalog Number : BBE787LP
Format: LP / Digital / Bandcamp
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