ARCHIE SHEPP — Kwanza (review)

ARCHIE SHEPP — Kwanza album cover Album · 1974 · Progressive Big Band Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Sean Trane
This Kwanza is a delayed release of 68 and 69-recorded material that saw the light of day some five years later, most likely when Shepp’s recording activities were not so numerous. So we’re facing here a very un-cohesive compilation of five tracks from four different sessions and equally so many (sometimes-vastly) different line-ups. The supposed purpose of the present release was justified by an explanation of African celebration, but it seems mainly invented in order to give this compilation a “travelling impression” (IMHO), but it doesn’t infer with the content or its enjoyment.

The opening Back Back could easily be an RnB piece from the mid-60’s and have an undeniable rock-pop feel, but what to say of Spoo-Pee-Doo with Leon Tomas’ impressive but ultimately-cheesy vocals. Of course much of the interest of this release comes from the New Africa and Bakai tracks (which this very version also found its way on the CD reissue of The Way Ahead), both absolutely awesome and intense tracks, which will most likely remain in your mind a few hours after listening to them. Indeed both tracks are based on an ethnic groove (African and Manouche respectively), and are both slightly hypnotizing, especially the former’s dramatic soloing and Shepp’s improvised tribal incantations. Although not last, but not least either, Slow drag is another impressive track where there remains traces of Shepp’s free-form jazz improvs, but it’s ll very accessible to most.

Despite being a disjointed “album”, this compilation is rather worthwhile (unless you possess the TWA CD reissue), but while worth the detour, I wouldn’t call it essential, especially with Afrika and Bakai available elsewhere, although missing out on Slow Drag would be one. Difficult choice between the present or TWA, though, so I’ll leave it up to you.

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

About (or On)First Visit Avant-Garde Jazz
ELLERY ESKELIN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Noah Kaplan Quartet : Out Of The Hole Avant-Garde Jazz
NOAH KAPLAN
Buy this album from MMA partners
To Walk On Eggshells Avant-Garde Jazz
RUSS JOHNSON
Buy this album from MMA partners
Snakeoil : Snakeoil Ok Avant-Garde Jazz
TIM BERNE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Poetry of Place (from the exhibit by painter Karen Allen) Jazz Related Improv/Composition
CHRIS DINGMAN
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio Dream a Dream
SATOKO FUJII
js· 1 day ago
Wojciech Jachna Squad - Ad Astra (Promo Teaser)
WOJCIECH JACHNA
snobb· 4 days ago
Nitty Gritty
RUSS SPIEGEL
js· 4 days ago
Never in a 100.000.000 Dreams
SUPERSISTER
js· 5 days ago
Love is a Fire that Burns Unseen
PETER MADSEN
js· 5 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed