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Randy Weston started out his career in the 50s playing the hard bop of the day, but soon found himself increasingly drawn to mixing African music with jazz. This African influence was furthered when he moved to Morocco in the mid 60s to continue his music career. “Tanjah”, released in 1973, found Weston mixing jazz, African music and some influences from the fusion styles of the day. The result is one of the better albums of the fusion era, an album totally devoid of the excesses that were often the pitfalls of that time. This is subtle groove music driven by thick layers of poly-rhythmic percussion and backed by a colorful nineteen piece orchestra. Some possible comparisons might include the music of Pharoh Sanders or early Lonnie Liston Smith, but there is a appealing casual lightness to Weston’s music that sets him apart. Weston’s rhythms don’t drive the beat home as much as they try to lift your feet from the ground.
Weston’s long time musical partner on here is Melba Liston, a very talented and unique arranger. Liston often goes for an African sound with bold unison horn melodies, but also has a gift for odd quirky orchestrations similar to latter day Gil Evans or Sun Ra. She also favors exotic tone colors, particularly nice is Dolores Ivory Davis’ soaring wordless vocals that carry the melody on “The Last Day”. Overall Liston’s orchestrations never overpower Weston’s nice grooves and add just the right amount of color to keep things interesting. The icing on the cake is all the great solos, particularly Weston’s formidable technique on both acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes.