Motherland (Remastered 2026) The Visitors

• 1 Kimball (Remastered 2026) 07:23
• 2 Body & Soul (Remastered 2026) 06:20
• 3 Levels (Remastered 2026) 06:23
• 4 Motherland (Remastered 2026) 03:20
• 5 Fables Of Africa (Remastered 2026) 06:03
• 6 I Want To Talk About You (Remastered 2026) 05:27
• 7 A Touch Of Warm (Remastered 2026) 03:15
• Total Runtime 38:11

Info for Motherland (Remastered 2026)

Heavily reminiscent of late-career Coltrane, Motherland is an emotive spiritual soul jazz album by The Visitors, consisting of the alto and tenor sax playing brothers Earl & Carl Grubbs. Originally released in 1975 on the legendary Muse Records.

“Motherland” was remixed and remastered by Kevin Gray using the original analogue tapes.

The album is an example of the experimental jazz of the 1970s, which stands out from more traditional jazz styles. It is also notable for its use of percussion and African instruments such as the kora. Although the album was not a major commercial success, it influenced many musicians in the Baltimore jazz scene and beyond. It is often regarded as a significant contribution to the development of jazz in the region.

The seven-track program contains five Grubbs brothers compositions and covers of “Body & Soul” and “I Want to Talk About You.” Carl Grubbs plays alto saxophone and piano, and Earl Grubbs plays tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, and piano with pianist Joe Bonner, bassist John Lee, and drummer Victor Lewis.

Motherland tightens the Visitors sound into controlled exchanges, original themes, and measured solo statements. “Kimball” opens with a march-like theme whose contour draws on a reel pattern. “Body and Soul” places the brothers in direct line-trading over a standard form. “Fables of Africa” starts from duet interplay, then opens into individual statements. “Motherland” pulls back into piano-led stillness and a measured soprano line.

Earl Grubbs, tenor and soprano saxophone
Carl Grubbs, alto saxophone
Tyneresque Joe Bonner, piano
John Lee, electric and double bass
Victor Lewis, drums

Recorded Motherland on October 27 and 28, 1975, at Blue Rock Studio
Produced by Michael Cuscuna

Digitally remastered

The Visitors
Formed in Philadelphia in the early 1970s, The Visitors were a short‑lived but widely respected spiritual and free jazz quintet led by brothers Carl and Earl Grubbs. Working within modal frameworks while allowing space for open improvisation, the group developed a sound shaped by close collaboration and shared musical ground.

Between 1972 and 1976, the band released four albums, each capturing a distinct moment in their evolution. Motherland, recorded in 1975 and released the following year, would be their final release—an album that brings together years of shared experience and musical conversation.

Carl Gordon Grubbs was born on July 27, 1944, and grew up in a North Philadelphia home where both parents played piano. In 1958, Carl had received his first clarinet; Earl played alto saxophone. Both brothers had begun professional work by high school. Juanita Grubbs, their first cousin and John Coltrane’s first wife, connected the brothers to Coltrane during an Easter visit to New York. Carl and Earl later brought saxophone questions to Coltrane at his Thirty-third Street house in Philadelphia.

This album contains no booklet.