Cosmic Jazz present a long-awaited reissue of their legendary 1967 masterpiece Philip Cohran and The Artistic Heritage Ensemble, often referred to as "On The Beach." This soul-jazz phenomenon captures one of the most crucial missing links in American music history, bridging the cosmic explorations of Sun Ra's Arkestra and the earthbound funk revolution that would define the Chicago sound. Phil Cohran, one of the founding members of the AACM and former trumpet player in Sun Ra's Arkestra from 1959-1961, assembled an extraordinary ensemble featuring saxophonist Donald Myrick and trombonist Louis Satterfield (who would later join Earth Wind and Fire in their early incarnation), blues drummer Bob Crowder Jr., tubaist Aaron Dodd (future member of 8 Bold Soul) and the powerfully influential guitarist Pete Cosey (who would go on to electrify Miles Davis' groundbreaking albums Agharta and Pangaea). This welcomed reissue includes two tracks never before released on vinyl, presenting the complete vision of this avant-populist Chicago jazz classic.

This album represents a phenomenon of completely liberated music that is simultaneously freewheeling and ecstatic, careening towards oblivion at every turn while remaining totally at peace with its environment. Rather than gazing upward at the cosmos like his former bandleader Sun Ra, Cohran and his ensemble looked inward, drawing inspiration through their roots to create what can only be described as earth music. The pioneering "New Frankiphone Blues" showcases Cohran's signature amplified kalimba as lead instrument, while the smoky vocal-led "Motherhood" demonstrates the ensemble's remarkable range from experimental explorations to deeply soulful expressions.

This is where Chicago jazz truly came into its own, distinct from its more commercially popular New York counterpart. Cohran, who remains a crucial figure in the city's rich musical history, created a sound that was different from his peers from the very first bars. The album stands as a gold standard in far-reaching sound that marries the past to the future in the heart of the now. As one critic noted, there are too few records like this, too few moments in musical time where everything converges so powerfully. This is essential listening for anyone with a pulse.