Although this performance from 1975 was known and appreciated by the then fans, some jazz critics, lamenting at the evolution of Shepp's music (thought to deviate from the royal road of politico-musical correctness), have failed to notice its remarkable qualities. While I agree with those connoisseurs that some details in this recording are less inspiring (Burrell's piano solo on "Hipnosis", Shepp's own piano playing on "I Know 'Bout The Life", etc.), such criticisms virtually fade into nothing when you allow yourself to be carried away by the 25 minute "Hipnosis" (Grachan Moncur's obsessive theme). It offers one of the darkest, most exciting and sweeping tenor sax explorations to be found on Shepp's recordings (along with "Yasmina A Black Woman" and the now untraceable "Coral Rock" from the late sixties), intense and devoid of clichés. This Millésime [Great Vintage] of Shepp may have become somewhat less acid, less fatty in the mouth and (whether you like it or not) more reconciled with tradition than the Impulse years' venturer. But the man is at the height of his powers here, not the captive of any one idiom but at home in many, including 'free'. Most of the time the music swings heavily and irresistibly. Shepp doesn't reduce his fellow musicians to the status of bystanders here. Bunny Foy is an excellent vocalist (on "Song For Mozambique" and "I Know 'Bout The Life"), Charles Greenlee takes an exciting trombone solo on "Hipnosis", Cameron Brown on bass is outstanding throughout. ~ by Paul Cortois, Amazon.com.
Black Saint, 120002-2, 1993
Recorded 4th-5th August, 1975
at Phonogram Studios, Milano, Italy
Musicians:
Archie Shepp - Tenor (#1,4), Soprano
(#2), Piano (#3), Vocals (#2)
Charles Greenlee - Trombone
(#1,3,4), Tambourine (#1), Vocals (#2)
Dave Burrell - Piano (#1,2,4)
Cameron Brown - Double Bass
Beaver Harris - Drums
(#1,3,4), Tambourine, Vocals (#2)
Bunny Foy - Maracas (#1),
Vocals (#2,3)
Rafi Taha - Vocals (#2)
Tracks:
1. Hipnosis {Grachan Moncour
III} (26:19)
2. Song For Mozambique /
Poem: A Sea Of Faces {Semenya McCord,
Archie Shepp} (8:12)
3. I Know About The Life
{Archie Shepp, Aishah Rahman} (5:28)
4. Lookin' For Someone To
Love {Cal Massey} (9:38)
Total Time: 49:38
Credits:
Producer - Giacomo
Pellicciotti
Recording Engineer - Pino
Ciancioso
Cover Design - Ariel Soule
Liner Photos - Giuseppe Pino
