Delcloo, Claude / Arthur Jones - Africanasia CD
SKU
URP-SGJZ-2006
Recorded August 22, 1969, Studio Saravah, Paris, part of the famed BYG Actuel series, and the first time ever on CD!
Claude Delcloo – drums
Arthur Jones - alto sax
Joseph Jarman – flute
Kenneth Terroade – flute
Roscoe Mitchell – flute
Clifford Thornton – congas
Earl Freeman - gongs, bells, percussion
Malachi Favors - log drums
“One look at the band lineup on this wild BYG/Actuel album should tell anyone that this is going to be one unique album. Starting just with drums and then adding percussion and then the flute trio, it does indeed invoke African and Asian styles meeting. When Arthur Jones finally comes in with a vibrato and swagger, it begins building to a much freer piece, though it maintains a propulsion best tied to spiritual jazz. In fact, it's not a bad idea to think of this entire record as a trance of sorts, moving from one thought to another, from fiery avant-garde to low key, beautiful sax voicings, all with the flutes always hanging about. It all seems to twist and turn on the whims of Jones and Delcloo. The flutes largely continue the Asian sounding melody, but Delcloo comes in and kicks up the piece before you know it, starting a percussion wave that makes good work of Clifford Thornton's congas.
After going on for nearly twenty minutes, things stop. Flipping the record reveals a whole new rhythm to start "pt.2", but don't worry, here comes that Asian-like theme again, just to hold the two sides together. Things move again into percussive territory, and these breaks, plus Arthur Jones' tone, are easily the best things about this record. It's all good, though some may feel the theme is a bit too repetitive. Eventually, the flutes go into a kind of background cacophony, and Jones brings out his best soloing. Always straddling the in and out line, Jones shows off his talent and adds to the sadness that he is only on a few albums, all but two on BYG/Actuel, disappearing from the scene in the 70s and being largely forgotten.”-rym
- LabelSolid
- UPC4526180714644