Idris Ackamoor has been a trailblazer in the realm of Afrofuturism, well before the term became widely recognized. His 1970s ensemble, the Pyramids, masterfully blended funk adn avant-garde jazz with deep-rooted Egyptian motifs while celebrating African American culture. (A significant comparison can be made to Sun Ra.) after a remarkable resurgence over the last decade, Ackamoor has unveiled four extraordinary albums through Strut Records. In honor of National Record Store Day, he is set to release a recording from his 2024 performance in San Francisco. This album emerges as an remarkable and daring work featuring an expanded group known as the Ankhestra, along with spoken-word segments from Hollywood actor Danny Glover and fellow activist Rhodessa Jones.

The album opens with “Afro Futuristic Dreams,” wich invites listeners into its vibrant world; collective chants evolve into lively soul rhythms enriched by lush instrumentation led by violin and flute.The ensemble exhibits complex bop patterns and intricate melodies in tracks such as “Tembeka” and the more energetic “Thank You God.” A standout moment is Glover’s contribution titled “Grandma Cole Myth,” which reimagines the traumatic journey of a ten-year-old African girl aboard a slave ship into an uplifting tale filled with vivid Blakean imagery. Concurrently,“China Lane Suite” delves into themes of forbidden love across racial boundaries,while “In God’s Country” serves as a tribute to Glover’s mother. Ackamoor’s piece “Prayer for Changing Times” beautifully encapsulates both struggle and joy.