Birthright

Birthright is a seminal but obscure collective from the 1970s Buffalo, NY jazz scene, led by Tom Schuman (later of Spyro Gyra fame). Their output consists of two highly sought-after private press albums, 'Free Spirits' (1974) and 'Breath of Life' (1976), released on Freelance Records.

Their sound identity is firmly rooted in the spiritual jazz movement, drawing heavy comparisons to the Strata-East and Black Jazz catalogs. Musically, they transitioned from the loose, improvisational excursions of their debut to a more structured, fusion-oriented sound on their sophomore effort, incorporating Greg Millar's guitar work and Beverly Simms' ethereal vocals. The group's cultural position is that of a 'holy grail' for crate diggers and spiritual jazz aficionados, representing a high-water mark for independent regional jazz production. Critical consensus highlights Schuman's Kenny Barron-esque Rhodes work and the band's ability to maintain a 'spiritual cloud' atmosphere without sacrificing melodic accessibility. They serve as a vital link between the avant-garde explorations of the late 60s and the more polished fusion of the late 70s.