Search - Archie Shepp :: Conversations

Archie Shepp in top form

Ian Muldoon | Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia | 04/17/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Everything seems right about the music on this CD, from its somber arco bass and poignant piano chords and keening saxophone that open it with the drum a muffled background to the swinging joy of Big Fred with its vocals, congas and joyful groove to Conversation 2 (a highlight) a piano vamp, the yawp and call of the tenor, a bass figure, the splash of cymbals, which turns into a tour de force for Mr Shepp. An overall tribute to the late great bassist Mr Fred Hopkins, the notes by Neil Tesser open with the phrase "the miracle of improvised music" and to me the album represents some of the best improvised music has to offer. What a joy to hear Mr Shepp in full flight in such sympathetic company - it clearly sounds like a labour of love but the programming mirrors the traditional dirge to begin used in New Orleans funerals by jazzmen followed by the joy of release (eg, Flee as A Bird)on the return from the burial. Modern music acknowledging its heritage perhaps. All the compositions are by the leader Kahil El Zabar except track four - Whenever I Think of You by pianist and tenor saxophonist Mr Ari Brown (who by the way sounds uncannily like McCoy Tyner on this track.) Mr Shepp's control and expression and inventiveness is as good as I've ever heard it on record. Perhaps note up to his masterpiece Live at the Donaueschingen Music Festival but in terms of his tenor playing comparable to Trouble in Mind. I'm glad I bought this album."

Probably the best of 99

riot67 | detroit | 05/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Few jazz records released these days sound this good and in ten or twenty years this should be a record that jazz fans and muscians alike are still playing and talking about. A tribute ablum to the late great bassist Fred Hopkins it is equally compelling and exploratory though somewhat more excessible than many of Shepps recordings. The general feeling of the session is one of four musicans at ease with themselves and each other sharing a spiritual kindred that is rarely evident in music today. Shepp is in top form and Kahil El'Zabars Ritual Trio which includes the great Malachi Favors and the formidable Ari Brown is equally impressive. As a whole this lp is a must and is perhaps the best jazz release of 1999 definitely worth a 5 star rating as a believe it is destined to become a classic. Buy now!"

Archie at his Best

riot67 | 03/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Archie Shepp at his best. This is not the honking Archie of Coltrane days, but a mature, skilled sax player who weaves in an out of melodic lines driven by a powerful rhythm section. This is one of the more enjoyable CD's I've purchased in the last year."