Zimphonic SuitesZim Ngqawana | Sheer Sound (2001)
You can take the jazz out of Africa, but you can't take the Africa out of
the jazz. From the opening notes, South African saxophonist/flutist Zim
Ngqawana's third disc as a leader coveys a sense of revelation and
discovery. Zimphonic Suites organizes itself around five musical
capsules, each with its own specific flavor and color. The first suite,
"Ingoma Ya Kwantu," aims for a sense of "inner
attainment," bridging tribal debts to imperial court music with a
Coltrane-like devotional pursuit. The first tune leaps off into a deliberately
paced modal exploration, briefly touching on a drum solo and then
heading back into the savana for a bindingly emotional climax in
"Resolution." Ngqawana's flute playing here betrays a
refreshing polyglot literacy.Subsequent suites connect the dots between tribal vocal/drumming music and instrumental improvisation. Ngqawana's core quartet dances about the boundaries and sews things up in unexpected ways. "Ebhofolo (This Madness)" features emphatic vocals strung across swinging bitonal harmony, with some elegant call-and-response playing as well as extended improvisations which vary at times from animal noises to impassioned cries. Perhaps the most dissonant piece on the record, this tune relies on a deeper inner logic to steer it forward. Subsequent efforts bring out references to tribal melodies, dance hall swing, bossa nova, and a variety of other influences. One has the feeling here not just of cross-fertilization, but a strong compositional focus on emotive expression. Ngqawana's saxophone and flute playing, in particular, harnesses a wonderful inner energy to communicate a message transcending style or nationality. Visit Sheer Sound and Zim Ngqawana on the web.
Personnel: Zim Ngqawana: soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones, alto, picolo, and c-flutes, harmonica, bicycle bells, chimes, whistles, vocals, and piano; Andile Yenana: piano, vocals; Herbie Tsoaeli: bass, vocals; Kevin Gibson: drums, percussion. Published: December 01, 2001
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