Sons and Daughters of Lite – Let the Sunshine in (Vinyl)

Formed in Oakland in the early 1970s, the Sons and Daughters of Lite came up with an album called Let The Sun Shine In, a record which has become a hugely collectible item.

Packed with soul, funk, and heavy percussion, this 100% righteous re-issue will please collectors and fans of the Luv n’ Haight series. The Sons and Daughters musician collective described themselves as a mix of African rhythms, Latin flavors, and Far Eastern textures.

Their energetic sounds earned them stage appearances with the likes of Sun Ra, Fela Kuti, Freddie Hubbard, and Stanley Turrentine.

Featured on the album is “Darkuman Junktion”, a downtempo funky nugget that appeared on the Luv n’ Haight compilation “Soulful”. Also included is the outrageously funky title track which became a jazz dance classic, courtesy of heavy radio and club play by top UK DJ and tastemaker Gilles Peterson.

As soon as it became public knowledge that Luv n’ Haight owned the rights to this album our phones rang off the hook. Record companies called wanting to license tracks from the album (check the top notch “Incredible Sounds” and “Jazz Biznizz” compilations). But here are all the tracks, available for the first time, remastered and subtly re-packaged to keep the integrity and spirit of the original album in check. Also included is a special LP-size poster insert comprised of unearthed pictures, handbills, and memorabilia from gigs played nearly 30 years ago.

The term “Sons of Lite” comes from the Ancient Egyptian Mystery System, a center of organized culture, like modern Universities. The Egyptians had 3 grades of Mystery System students: Mortals (probationary students who were instructed, but who had yet experienced the inner vision) Intelligences (those who had attained inner vision) and The Creators or Sons of Lite (those who had experienced true spiritual consciousness).

Many members of the band enjoyed solo music careers and are still recording now. Original band leader Basuki Bala is currently a member of the Afro-Carribean Allstars, and percussionist Babatunde has recorded a few records for Ubiquity. Trumpet player Marty Payne doubled up as a producer for the quintessential experimental jazz label, Strata East, and vocalist Aisha Kahlil appeared on Bay Area group Infinite Sound’s self titled album on Arch records.