In many ways this superlative compilation provides a wider context to the recently-released Oneness Of Juju anthology. They were a great band from mid 1970s, and Black Fire was the label that championed them and other Afrocentric, spiritually-charged acts building a coherent bridge between jazz warriors such as Alice and John Coltrane and funk and soul messengers James Brown and Stevie Wonder. In any case Black Fire had a fine roster. Saxophonist Byard Lancaster, collaborating with Nigerian drummers led by Tunde Kuboye, ensured that there was a hard, tough sound well to the fore while Ghanaian percussionist Okyerama Asante gave the label an even stronger ‘motherland pulse.’ However, it was when BF broached territory not dissimilar to that occupied by Gil Scott-Heron, Roy Ayers and Lonnie Liston Smith that it really started to cook.

The highlight of the collection in that respect is the enchanting ‘Children Of Tomorrow's Dreams’ by Theatre West, an ensemble that combined music and dance. Wrapped in a shimmering coat of Rhodes, vibes and gilded female vocal chants the song is just the kind of balm needed for these tryin' times.