Worlds Around the Sun, the 1972 debut from Bayeté (an alias of the keyboardist, composer, producer and conceptual artist, Todd Cochran), serves as a powerful introduction to Cochran’s radical expressionism and multi-faceted talents. The album was written, produced, and arranged by the 21-year-old prodigy, who rose to fame as a sideman for vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson (who joins Cochran on the record, alongside a broad array of celebrated musicians, including Fred Berry, Oscar Brashear, and Wayne Wallace). Through six stylistically dynamic—yet cohesive—tracks, the artist invites listeners on a journey that spans space and time, with selections like the Eastern-influenced “Njeri (Belonging to a Warrior),” the epic “Bayeté” and “Free Angela (Thoughts… And All I’ve Got to Say),” written for the imprisoned activist, philosopher, and author, Angela Davis. The ambitious composition, which became one of Cochran’s best-known works, was later covered by Santana. Sampled by a range of artists, including Kendrick Lamar and De La Soul, Worlds Around the Sun is reissued on vinyl for the first time. This VMP and Jazz Dispensary special edition of Bayeté's Worlds Around the Sun is pressed on AAA 180g 1LP Sun Swirl vinyl at Record Technology Incorporated (RTI). The album will arrive in a single tip-on, foil stamped and numbered jacket along with an obi strip. It's mastered by Kevin Gray of Cohearant Audio with lacquers cut from the original analog tapes.
