Iconic, innovative and internationally renowned force in avant-garde music The Art Ensemble of Chicago released their 50th anniversary celebratory album We Are On The Edge in April, and Erased Tapes is honoured to produce the vinyl edition of this exceptional body of work. Led by surviving founding members Roscoe Mitchell and drummer Famoudou Don Moye, these brand new recordings involve a staggering array of contemporary artists ranging from across the jazz, experimental and improvised music spheres; from the visionary poet and musician Moor Mother, trumpeters Fred Berry and Hugh Ragin, who have performed with Mitchell for over five and four decades, to bassist Jaribu Shahid, supreme cellist Tomeka Reid, celebrated flute virtuoso Nicole Mitchell and the extraordinary voice of Rodolfo Cordova-Lebron.

The vinyl edition, due for release on July 26, will be available as a double album featuring a meticulous studio session of the newly assembled group of musicians, combining re-recordings of works spanning the last 50 years, some never before recorded, as well as new compositions. The 4-LP special edition also includes their live set recorded at Edgefest, the annual experimental jazz and creative new music festival in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Having witnessed this exciting new formation around Roscoe and Don live at Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Robert Raths was compelled to start a conversation with their US label Pi Recordings, based out of New York, and support this project in any way possible.

“Witnessing this music form in front of your eyes and ears is such a thrill; easily one of the most gripping live experiences I have ever had. The AEC have always had a firm place in my musical journey as they’ve kept reinventing and stretching the definition of not only jazz, but artistic expression itself. And I feel that with the addition of all these incredibly gifted and energetic next generation performers, Camae Ayewa in particular, they truly push current boundaries and raise new question marks; both in radical and beautiful ways. And they don’t do it as individuals, they do it as a collective that embraces diversity, which makes this project so urgent, strong and relevant, truly representative of our time.” — Robert Raths

The Art Ensemble will take their thrilling new live set around the world including Stockholm Jazz Festival on October 11 with more dates to be announced soon.

"50 years on, the Art Ensemble of Chicago is still transforming...the record is a triumph" — The New York Times

"Massive" — Stereogum

· listen to the title track featuring Moor Mother

· pre-order the 2LP/4LP edition of We Are On The Edge