Geechee Recollections was the
first in a trilogy of recordings by saxophonist Marion Brown that both honored
the work of poet Jean Toomer and revisited his upbringing in Georgia. Together,
they form arguably the most beautiful and satisfying output of Brown's lengthy
career. The music, while remaining experimental, is grounded in Southern folk
themes and blues, epitomized on tracks like the funky "Buttermilk
Bottom" here. A Toomer poem, Karintha is given a striking reading by Bill
Hasson and, throughout the recording, Brown receives excellent support by a
strong ensemble including trumpeter Leo Smith and the great drummer Steve
McCall. Brown, with his marvelously limpid tone on alto, is a joy to hear and
seems more at home and relaxed here than on some of his more strident early
records. Recommended. ~ Brian Olewnick, AMG.
Impulse! Records, AS-9252,
1973
ABC/Impulse! Records, MVCZ-120,
1997
Recorded 4th &
5th June, 1973 At Intermedia Sound, Boston, Massachusetts
Musicians:
Marion Brown - Alto &
Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, Percussion
Leo Smith - Brasses, Strings,
Percussion
Bill Hassan - Narration (#2),
Percussion
James Jefferson - Bass, Cello
(#2), Percussion
Steve McCall - Drums,
Miscellaneous Percussion
A. Kobena Adzenyah - Drums [Southeastern
Ghana]: Soge, Kidi, Kaganu, Axatse,
Gankogui, Toke; Drums [Akan
people, Ghana]: Apentemba,
Apenten, Dawure, Nnawunta,
Donne, Gyilla, Balaphone [Lobi people, Northern Ghana]
William Malone - Thumb Piano,
Autoharp, Axatse
Jumma Santos - Conga Drums,
Miscellaneous Instruments
Tracks:
1. Once Upon A Time {Marion
Brown} (6:27)
2. Karintha {Marion Brown,
Jean Toomer} (9:25)
3. Buttermilk Bottom {Marion
Brown} (6:42)
4. Introduction {Marion Brown}
(1:18)
5. Tokalokaloka, Part One
{Marion Brown} (6:59)
6. Tokalokaloka, Part Two
{Marion Brown} (8:39)
7. Tokalokaloka, Part Three
{Marion Brown} (1:45)
8. Ending {Leo Smith} (1:20)
Credits:
Producer - Ed Michel
Recording Engineer - Berred
Ouelette
Assistant Engineer - Dominic
Lumetta, Gilmar Fortis, Kathryn King, Nat Seligman
Mixing Engineer - Rick Heenan
(The Village Recorder)
Photography - Donald M. Shaw
Liner Notes - J.B. Figi
Liner Notes [Poem] - Eric D.
Jackson
