Acid Jazz Records is set to turn 25 this year, with the imprint planning a number of celebrations.
Acid Jazz began as a joke – literally. The term was shouted out during a rare groove set, with the MC taking a pot shot at the emerging Acid House scene.
Bizarrely, it stuck. Eddie Piller and Gilles Peterson founded a new label in 1987, and decided to use the Acid Jazz moniker as a tongue in cheek way of summing up their eclectic tastes. Peterson later left to run Talkin’ Loud but Eddie Piller still helms the label, which has enjoyed a resurgence of late.
Set to turn 25 this year, Acid Jazz will celebrate its birthday with a number of special events and expansive re-issues.
First, a quote from head honcho Eddie Piller: “Acid Jazz has always been about mixing different types of music, opening doors and moving forwards. And after twenty-five years people are slowly beginning to realise we’re still here and still putting out great records. And I’ll carry on doing so until I die….”
Looking ahead, Acid Jazz are planning a boat party, a photo exhibition and even a stage at the Olympics. On the release front, re-issues will come from Brand New Heavies, the James Taylor Quartet and Mother Earth.
Available on CD and chunky vinyl, Acid Jazz are set to shine a light on some of their most influential releases. Looking back to their roots – James Taylor Quartet’s ‘Mission Impossible’ for example – the catalogue also includes more recent far, such as The Third Degree’s infamous re-working of ‘Mercy’.
Live dates:
August
10th – Acid Jazz stage at the Olympics (Victoria Park) featuring Geno Washington, Filthy Six and Janice Graham Band
September
16th – Acid Jazz Rare Mod boat trip
October
31st – AJ 25 Exhibition featuring never seen before Acid Jazz memorabilia – Maurice Einhardt Neu Gallery, Redchurch Street (Private viewing)
November
1st-8th – AJ 25 Exhibition featuring never seen before Acid Jazz memorabilia – Maurice Enhardt Neu Gallery, Redchurch Street (Open Exhibition)
9th – AJ 25 Anniversary Live Event – 229 – Andy Lewis, Janice Graham Band, Matt Berry
10th – AJ 25 Anniversary Live Event – 229 – acts to be announced
December
5th – AJ 25 Exhibition featuring never seen before Acid Jazz memorabilia – Londonewcastle, Redchurch Street (Private viewing)
6-24th – AJ 25 Exhibition featuring never seen before Acid Jazz memorabilia – Londonewcastle, Redchurch Street (Open exhibition)