Cecil MCBee - Mutima (1974/2025) [Hi-Res]

Cecil McBee’s debut album, Mutima, stands as a landmark achievement in 1970s jazz, blending the deeply introspective qualities of spiritual jazz with adventurous post-bop and avant-garde influences. Released in 1974 on the revered Strata-East label, the album highlights McBee’s virtuosic skill on the bass alongside his remarkable gift for crafting compositions that resonate with emotional and intellectual depth.

Backed by a stellar ensemble featuring luminaries such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Onaje Allan Gumbs, and Dom Salvador, Mutima – translated as “unseen forces” – unfolds as a vivid musical journey. The album’s intricate interplay and sweeping arrangements reveal McBee’s ability to unite diverse voices into a cohesive, transcendent statement. A cornerstone of 1970s jazz, Mutima solidifies Cecil McBee’s reputation as a trailblazer, channeling the spirit of innovation and collective artistry into a timeless recording. Now remastered from the original analog tapes, this iconic album is available in digital format for the first time, inviting listeners to rediscover its brilliance like never before!

Bass, Arranged By, Composed By, Producer – Cecil McBee
Congas – Lawrence Killian
Drums – Jimmy Hopps
Flugelhorn – Tex Allen
Flute – Art Webb
Gong, Percussion – Michael Carvin
Percussion, Cymbal – Jaboli Billy Hart
Piano, Electric Piano – Onaje Allen Gumbs
Vocals – Dee Dee Bridgewater