Nat-Ural by Ural Thomas

In commemoration of soul-singing legend Ural Thomas's 85th birthday, Albina Music Trust & Cairo Records present "Nat-Ural". This massive tribute to Ural's 70-year music career includes an LP of previously unreleased solo recordings, a 7" bonus record, a 24-page full color book featuring interviews and photography, five postcards, a fold-out newspaper, a poster, and beautiful printed inner sleeves.

Here's a detailed description of the contents -

THE LP - These 8-track recordings are from the late 1980s and early 1990s. There are synthesizers, drum machines, a chorus of vocal overdubs, guitars, bass, drums - a full band featuring Ural Thomas on each instrument, recorded at home and now for the first time on LP.

THE 7" - Two songs Ural recorded at home in the 1960s, with youth from the Albina neighborhood. Side A is the avant-garde funk masterpiece "Fade Away", featuring kids blowing into ten-foot long bed posts outfitted with trombone slides. Side B is the first recording of Ural's sweet, soulful, and life-affirming ballad, "Smile".

THE BOOKLET - This 12" X 12" full color book features a long-form interview with Ural Thomas, interviews with fellow Albina musicians, and a wide variety of photos covering the entirety of his lifelong career.

THE POSTCARDS - Five postcards featuring photos of Ural Thomas at various stages of his career.

THE FOLD OUT NEWSPAPER - An old article about Ural's struggles with the City Of Portland and a new article detailing the City's proclamation declaring Ural Thomas' birthday (Dec 21st) as "Ural Thomas Day" in the City Of Portland.

THE INNER SLEEVES - Two beautiful alternate covers for "Nat-Ural" are printed on the inner sleeves.

THE POSTER - Full color promo shot of Ural in a mesh outfit hanging out in a birdbath.

Tracklist

1.	First Place Winner	2:24

2.	It Ain't Easy Being Green	3:26

3.	America	1:01

4.	You Cared Very Little	3:10

5.	Over You	2:59

6.	Even When I Lose I Still Win	3:27

7.	Ain't Enough Time	1:38

8.	So Glad	4:27

9.	Raindrops	2:48

10.	Good Vibrations	4:11

Credits

released December 20, 2024

All music on this recording performed by Ural Thomas.
Interviews by Erin Yanke, Bobby Smith, and Cairo Records
Booklet edited by Erin Yanke
Art production by Brian Mumford
Mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk at Stereophonic Mastering
Lathe cut by Adam Gonzales at Telegraph Mastering
Special thanks to Ural Thomas, Rosie Thomas, Scott "Cooky Parker" Magee, Paul Knauls, Calvin Walker, Frankie Almutawa, Cascade Record Pressing, the staff of Mississippi Records, and the staff at Albina Music Trust.

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