John Lamkin: Hot

Best known as a dedicated music educator, Dr. John Lamkin II has spent decades shaping the next generation of musicians as Director of Bands at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. But in 1984, he stepped into the spotlight with Hot, a dynamic blend of fusion, R&B, and straight-ahead jazz-funk that showcased his prowess as a trumpeter, composer, and bandleader. Originally a private press release, the album has remained a sought-after rarity—until now.

Born and raised in Atlantic City, Dr. Lamkin came of age during the city's vibrant jazz era of the 1950s and '60s—long before the casinos reshaped its cultural landscape. Trumpeter Lee Morgan was a defining influence on his early playing, a connection sparked by an unexpected gift from his church-going parents. Mistaking the title for something more sacred, they bought him Jimmy Smith's The Sermon (Blue Note Records, 1959) which features Morgan. The inspired young Lamkin set out to recreate those solos, laying the foundation for his hard-bop and soul-jazz sensibilities—elements that would later surface on Hot.

Though he holds near-legendary status in his adopted hometown of Baltimore, Dr. Lamkin remains relatively unknown outside the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast jazz circles. Yet, chances are you have heard his work without realizing it. As a trumpeter, arranger, and composer, he has contributed to a wide range of popular acts, The Manhattans to Stephanie Mills, Candi Staton, Harvey Mason, The Dells and K.C. and the Sunshine Band. He even appeared in the 1973 concert film Wattstax, performing with Luther Ingram on the soul classic (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right. With such an impressive résumé, it is surprising that his name is not more widely recognized—a fact that makes the long-overdue reissue of Hot all the more essential.

Despite his extensive career as a performer and educator, Dr. Lamkin has recorded just three albums as a leader. His most recent, John R. Lamkin II: Movin' (self-released, 2024), and John Lamkin: Transitions (Good Music Inc., 2018) showcase his continued dedication to swinging, straight-ahead jazz. But it all began with Hot (G.M.I. Records, 1984), a soulful, jazz-funk-infused session that remains his most elusive recording.

Enter jazz entrepreneur Paul Murphy, founder of the London-based label Jazz Room Records. A key figure in the UK jazz dance movement, Murphy is responsible for unearthing countless forgotten jazz floor-fillers that have lit up sound systems across London's underground scene. Since launching Jazz Room Records in 2019, he has built a catalog of over forty vinyl reissues aimed squarely at collectors, including the hard-hitting Latin jazz rarity Mañanita Pampera by Hugo Heredia (2019), the ultra-obscure 1975 private pressing of Eric Ghost's Secret Sauce (2022), and the commercially successful Take Vibe (2020) version of The Stranglers' Golden Brown. Now, with the reissue of Hot, Murphy once again spotlights an overlooked jazz treasure, ensuring Dr. Lamkin's music finally reaches the wider audience it deserves.

The lineup on Hot brought together some of Baltimore's finest jazz musicians, each with impressive credentials. Saxophonist Gary Thomas, drummer (Jack DeJohnette, guitarist John McLaughlin, Pianist Herbie Hancock) delivers his signature fluid, fiery lines, while drummer George Gray (Abdullah Ibrahim Trio, Spirit of Life Ensemble) provides an impeccable rhythmic foundation. Bassist Tony Bunn (Sun Ra, Michal Urbaniak, Urszula Dudziak) adds deep, driving grooves, and Lamkin's wife, singer/pianist Eartha S Lamkin, lends both her voice and musicianship to the session, making Hot as much a family affair as a showcase of top-tier talent.

The opening track, "Ticket," is the reason why the album first caught the attention of the jazz-funk fraternity upon its original release. A scorching groove reminiscent of Donald Byrd's '70s Blue Note recordings, it delivers everything a great dancefloor jazz cut should—punchy brass, an irresistible rhythm section, and an infectious energy that makes it an instant standout.

The title track, "Hot," rides on a sizzling bass line from Bunn, making it all the more puzzling why it did not break through at the time. A 17-minute 4-part workout, it builds in intensity before climaxing with the fiery "Scorching."

The Latin dance-flavored "722" features standout soloing from Dr. Lamkin and Thomas.

The album's only cover, "Flower Power," was penned by Stevie Wonder for Stevie Wonder's Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants (Motown, 1979) and is beautifully delivered by Eartha.

By 1984, jazz was emerging from an era of heated debate, with purists—the so-called 'jazz police'—criticizing artists for embracing funk, R&B, and electronic elements. Nearly every major artist of the time, from Hancock and Byrd to Freddie Hubbard and Sonny Rollins, and even Miles Davis had experimented with dance-oriented jazz. Hot sits firmly within this space, fusing jazz, funk, R&B, and Latin influences into a vibrant, groove-heavy session.

Dr. Lamkin does not recall the exact number of copies originally pressed but estimates it was no more than 500—original pressings now fetch upwards of 300 euros on Discogs. Thanks to Jazz Room Records, this long-lost gem is finally receiving the recognition it deserves at an affordable price, giving collectors and jazz-funk aficionados another shot at owning a key piece of mid-'80s East Coast jazz history.

Reissued with its original artwork and original liner notes by writer Frederick Douglass, Hot is available on vinyl and digital formats from March 7, 2025.

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