Celebrating 50 years of recording, the veteran Chicago jazz percussionist and vocalist returns in his trio of sax and trumpet, and here also with strings, brings his rich vocal tones and infectious with a selection of classics and originals. While El’Zabar’s voice has a command echoing of the great Gil Scott-Heron, but here improvisational instruments are as much the fore, joined by Corey Wilkes on trumpet and percussion,
Alex Harding on baritone sax as the main trio with James Sanders on violin and viola, and Ishmael Ali on cello, the overall style stripped back, mixing that vivid jazz age feel with African rhythms, both minimal and arresting, atmospheric, joyful, melacholy, free-flowing yet tight, and making the most of every instruments’ emotional impact.
The absolute standout is the deep funky sax, percussion and stabby string grooves of Compared To What, with its jazz-blues continuum of perpetual spontaneity, a protest songs favourite of his his father, and written by Eugene McDaniel. The album also includes works by Miles Davis (the gradual unfolding opener All Blues) and McCoy Tyner, as well as several traditionals such as Barundi, Hang Tuff, Ornette, and Great Black Music, and more Kahil’s more experimental, very atmospheric pieces such as Can You Find A Place. Overall, a gem of release, one to sink into of an evening, sipping a glass of wine, and one which captures the magic of the group and with 80 minutes of music of mood-changing and lifting musical adventure – a wonderful anniversary release. Out on Spiritmuse Records.
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