Woody Shaw’s Avant‑Garde ‘Song of Songs’ returns to vinyl after 50 years through Jazz Dispensary’s Top Shelf Series

LOS ANGELES — Jazz Dispensary will reissue Woody Shaw’s 1973 avant‑garde landmark Song of Songs on September 4, marking the album’s first return to its original vinyl format in more than 50 years, the label announced Tuesday. The release arrives as part of Jazz Dispensary’s 10th‑anniversary Top Shelf series, which highlights rare and influential catalog titles.

The reissue features all‑analog (AAA) mastering by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and 180‑gram vinyl pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing. According to the announcement, the LP comes in a tip‑on jacket that “faithfully reproduces its original Contemporary Records design.”

A Landmark in Shaw’s Early Career

Shaw recorded Song of Songs during his early years as a bandleader, following his politically charged 1970 debut Blackstone Legacy. The four‑track album showcases his work as a composer, arranger and soloist. The press release notes that Shaw’s harmonic approach and technical innovation made him “a pioneering figure in modern jazz.”

The sextet included Emanuel Boyd, George Cables, Henry Franklin, Woodrow Theus II and Ramon Morris. Bennie Maupin also appeared on “The Goat and the Archer.”

Music Rooted in Global and Personal Experience

Shaw wrote the title track using an Indonesian five‑note scale and dedicated it to Southeast Asia. He composed it during the Vietnam War, calling the piece an expression of concern for “the people in Vietnam and neighboring countries.”

He also confronted personal struggles in “Love, For the One You Can’t Have,” reflecting on his separation from his wife. The album closes with “The Awakening,” which Shaw described as a reflection of his own artistic growth. “I’m awakening to my way of playing music,” he wrote.

A Legacy That Continues to Shape Jazz

Shaw’s influence extended across generations. NPR dubbed him “The Last Great Trumpet Innovator,” while Miles Davis praised him, saying, “He can play different from all of them.”

His work shaped the “Young Lion” era, influencing Terence Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis and Chris Botti. Shaw earned multiple GRAMMY nominations and was inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame in 1989.

Song of Songs is available for pre‑order and pre‑save now. The reissue will also arrive on streaming platforms in standard and HD audio.