PHILADELPHIA — It took only 50 years, but Del Jones' music — and his message — are being heard loud and clear, again.
In 1973, Jones — a West Philadelphia bandleader, protorapper, and political activist who died in 2006 — put out two LPs of hard-hitting James Brown-meets-Gil Scott-Heron funk and jazz.
The two releases were the raw "Court Is Closed," with propulsive rhythms shot through with psychedelic rock, and the polished Del Jones' "Positive Vibes," which reworked the former with horns arranged by Jones' uncle Herbie Jones, a veteran of Duke Ellington's band.
