CHRIS MCGREGOR — En concert a Banlieues Bleues (with Archie Shepp) (review)

CHRIS MCGREGOR — En concert a Banlieues Bleues (with Archie Shepp) album cover Live album · 1989 · Progressive Big Band Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
South Africa-born son of Scottish church missioner, pianist Chris McGregor, made his name after his relocation to London and playing for some years a, quite unique for the time, mix of soulful South African tunes, American free jazz and Canterbury scene elements with his Brotherhood Of Breath big band. In 1989, his orchestra toured Europe with special guest American sax player Archie Shepp, their concert in Paris was recorded and released on the tiny French label 52 Rue Est.

"En Concert a Banlieues Bleues" is a strange recording. The sound quality is not the best, but acceptable for a live festival recording. The whole concert does not sound like one collective work though - its more similar to one of those fest nights when a few artists share the stage and (probably for the first time ever) play a few songs together. Brotherhood of Breath, improved with South African singer Sonti Mndebele (who worked as back-up vocalist for Donna Summer, Tina Turner, Paul Simon, Sting and many others) plays well orchestrated African jazz with a stronger then usual African element (particularly Sonti Mndebele's singing techniques), at the same time, Shepp stays rooted in his hard bop. No serious collaboration between the two quite different musical genres could be found, so the better moments are those when the band or Shepp are just soloing alone.

And - there is also an out of tune piano all night long. They say Chris had wanted to stop the release of the album, but it still would have been released because of contractual obligations. Some months later, after "En Concert a Banlieues Bleues" was released, Chris fell ill on tour and died so it stays his last album released (lots of material was released posthumously though).

In all, not the album for McGregor or Shepp newcomers, but it could be an interesting release for serious fans of both artists.
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