For nearly fifty years, Roger Glenn’s 1977 debut ‘Reachin” has circulated as a secret handshake among serious crate-diggers, a jazz-funk fusion gem from the fertile musical world of the late-70s Bay Area that never got the wide audience it deserved. Jazz Dispensary is fixing that on July 10 with an all-analog AAA reissue via the label’s acclaimed Top Shelf series, mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio directly from the original master tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Fidelity Record Pressing, and housed in a tip-on jacket that faithfully reproduces the original artwork. It’s available for pre-order now.
Glenn’s story is as rich as the record itself. Son of celebrated trombonist and vibraphonist Tyree Glenn, he absorbed Cuban polyrhythms from his mother, served in an army band alongside Grover Washington Jr. and Billy Cobham, and went on to play with Cal Tjader, Herbie Mann and Dizzy Gillespie before appearing on sessions with Mary Lou Williams, Mongo Santamaría and Donald Byrd. When he reconnected with producers The Mizell Brothers, fresh off defining the DNA of jazz-funk with Donald Byrd’s ‘Black Byrd,’ the conditions for something special were firmly in place.
‘Reachin” delivered on every front. Glenn teamed with Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters members Bill Summers and Paul Jackson, guitarist Ray Obiedo, keyboardist Mark Soskin and a percussion section that included a young Sheila E., building a record that moves from the infectious title track through dancefloor heat on “Rio,” modal jazz depth on “Gloria” and the Yoruba-invoking percussion ceremony of closing track “Rezo Chango.” Latin jazz, cosmic funk and rare groove, all in one place, all completely alive.
‘Reachin” is the third Top Shelf release in Jazz Dispensary’s 10th anniversary celebration, following releases from The Visitors and Joe Henderson. More groove-forward deep cuts are on the way throughout 2026.
‘Reachin” Tracklist:
Side A
Reachin’
Rio
Don’t Leave
E.B.F.S.
Side B
Overtime
Kick
Gloria
Rezo Chango