Almost 51 years ago, jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson (1941-2016) recorded Now!, which survives as important evidence of the times, musically and culturally. I’m a big fan of Hutcherson, so my recent discovery of this recording, featuring tenor saxophonist Harold Land, is entirely rewarding—Hutcherson’s playing is fiery, and the prevalence of vocals comes off, to my ears, far better than a few similar efforts of the period. Here’s what Russ Musto, AAJ, wrote about the album’s fifth track: "Black Heroes is a topical protest song lauding the race's champions of equality with the popular ‘Freedom Now’ message developed over rhythm changes.” Could be summer of 2020.