Thomas, Ural

***In commemoration of soul singing legend Ural Thomas's 85th birthday, Cairo Records and The Albina Music Trust present Nat. - Ural! This giant tribute to Ural's 70 year music career includes an LP, a 7", a thirty six page 12" x 12" full-color book, five postcards, a newspaper fold out, a 11" x 17" poster and beautiful printed inner sleeves. THE LP - These 8-track recordings are from the early 90s - possibly some begun as early as late 80s. There are synthesizers, drum machines, a chorus of vocal overdubs, guitars, bass, drums...a full band all Ural, recorded at home and now for the first time on LP. THE 7" - Two songs Ural recorded in the early 1960's at home with a bunch of kids from the 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 sweet, simple soulful and life affirming ballad, "Smile". THE BOOKLET - This 12 X 12 full color book features a long interview with Ural, interviews with his contemporaries and tons of great photos. It covers his whole career as a soul singing legend. THE POSTCARDS - Five postcards featuring pictures of Ural from 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 about how great Ural is on the other side. THE INNER SLEEVES - Two large 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.