Lo-Flo Records recently released Songs from the Vault: Reel #5, a two-song EP featuring rediscovered works by composer Jane McNealy. The tracks, “Why Can’t I Have It Too” and “Movie Star,” were originally written in the 1970s and showcase the legendary Harold Battiste Jr.‘s arrangements and saxophone performances. Battiste, a major figure in New Orleans music, produced both songs.
Harold Battiste, Jr., born on October 28, 1931, in New Orleans, was a notable American musician, producer, and educator. He began his career as a saxophonist and pianist, rising to prominence with his production on Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me.” In 1961, he founded AFO Records, the first African-American musician-owned record label in the U.S., launching careers for artists like Dr. John. Battiste moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s, worked with Sonny & Cher, and later joined the Jazz Studies faculty at the University of New Orleans. He passed away in 2015, leaving a legacy of promoting African-American artists and contributing to New Orleans’ musical heritage.
You can find more info about the release HERE