RANDY WESTON — Tanjah (review)

RANDY WESTON — Tanjah album cover Album · 1973 · Soul Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
js
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.
Share this review
more

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

Green Puma / Tropical Dandy Jazz Related Rock
THE LINK QUARTET
Buy this album from MMA partners
Vinny Golia Quintet : Can You Outrun Them? 21st Century Modern
VINNY GOLIA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Bow Code Fusion
SAMPO HIUKKANEN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Anthem For No Man’s Land Jazz Related Improv/Composition
ANDREAS SCHAERER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Cabaret Eclectic Fusion
MARIUS NESET
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Paper Plane Pilot
MIKE DE SOUZA
js· 2 hours ago
Green Puma
THE LINK QUARTET
js· 2 hours ago
Heavy Cream
SAMPO HIUKKANEN
js· 4 hours ago
Sunday afternoon
FURIO DI CASTRI
snobb· 17 hours ago
Harmônicos
FABIANO DO NASCIMENTO
js· 1 day 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
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed