Galt MacDermot - Billy Butler Plays Via Galactica (2015)

This musical release represents one of the rarest and most experimental works in the discography of American jazz guitarist Billy Butler, who originally rose to prominence through his gritty R&B work with organist Bill Doggett and a series of jazz-funk LPs for the prestigious Prestige Records label. The album stands in stark contrast to his previous output, as it features material entirely composed by legendary soundtrack mastermind Galt MacDermot, who also served as producer, releasing the session on his own independent micro-label. Within this session, Butler moves away from standard jazz conventions, shifting his focus toward exploring textures, chromatic tones, and psychedelic wah-wah effects. His snaking, melodic guitar lines unfold over laidback, meditative grooves anchored by a stellar chamber combo consisting of drummer Bernard Purdie, bassist Wilbur Bascomb, and MacDermot himself on piano. This infuses the record with a unique, occasionally cosmic and spacey atmosphere at the intersection of space jazz, funk, and instrumental soundtrack music.

Tracklist:
1-1 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - I Believe in Butterflies (feat. Billy Butler) [4:53]
1-2 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - Via Galactica (feat. Billy Butler) [4:21]
1-3 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - Home (feat. Billy Butler) [3:56]
1-4 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - 400 Girls Ago (feat. Billy Butler) [4:27]
1-5 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - Hush (feat. Billy Butler) [4:05]
1-6 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - Life Wins (feat. Billy Butler) [4:18]
1-7 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - All My Good Mornings (feat. Billy Butler) [4:03]
1-8 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - New Jerusalem (feat. Billy Butler) [4:53]
1-9 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - Helen of Troy (feat. Billy Butler) [4:16]
1-10 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - Dance the Dark Away (feat. Billy Butler) [3:00]
1-11 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - Other Side of the Sky (feat. Billy Butler) [3:55]
1-12 Galt MacDermot;Billy Butler;Galt Macdermot - Up (feat. Billy Butler) [4:21]