By 2001, I was starting to take Sounds Are Active seriously. We had changed the name (from the awful Mantis Music), started talking with Glen about putting out Soul-Junk and received the first of many logos for the label.

I think it may have been Pete Deeble’s idea: assemble some of the most interesting, non-mainstream bands in Long Beach and release a compilation. Each band would get roughly 15 minutes to shine; and they did.

Jazz- A Compilation was an enormous undertaking. A co-release by Sounds Are Active and Pete Records, we pressed thousands of CD’s and vinyl with full colour sleeves. We organized two album release parties (one in Long Beach, of course, and one at the Knitting Factory in L.A.), and found ourselves the subjects of two features articles in the local weeklies and newspapers, both of which dispatched photographers and writers to our doorsteps.

We were also able to secure some legitimate distribution for the first time and, although it was a struggle, we were really starting to feel like we had done something important. Since 2001, Pete Records has shuttered its doors with Pete going on to become a husband, father and full time teacher. I recently bought out all of his back stock of the vinyl and CD’s which had been collecting dust in his parents garage. I couldn’t help but throw the 12″ on and take a listen. Still important.

Personnel
Create (!):
Orlando Greenhill- upright bass, voice
Danny Levin- euphonium, trombone
Steve Richardson- drums
Chris Schlarb- electric guitar, electronics
Ian Souther- trumpet

Produced and engineered by Chris Schlarb