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Keith Tippett: Viva La Black Live At Ruvo
ByThe distinctive melody line and driving rhythms of the opening track, "MRA," immediately call to mind Brotherhood of Breath and The Dedication Orchestra, large ensembles that united South African and UK players. However, Canto Generàl are not content to rehash past versions, as Vito Mitoli's soaring opening trumpet solo immediately makes clear. Packed with many fine soloists, the orchestra makes each piece its own. The blend of brass and reeds with the wordless vocals is thrilling stuff.
Tippett's compositions mix well with the South Africans. More melodically and rhythmically varied, they serve to demonstrate the extremes of sound that the ensemble can produce. For much of its five minutes, "Dedicated to Mingus" combines drones from voices and instruments into an atmospheric free-form tone poem, then eventually breaks into a mournful lament that is worthy of Mingus himself. Just as low keyand just as beautifulis Tippett's all-too-short "Mongezi Feza," with the voices staccato chanting of Feza's name like a mantra. The voices are again employed to stunning effect on "Cider Dance"; after some fine free blowing, subtly backed by the vocals, the voices come to the fore, culminating in a complex a capella improvisation.
In the tradition of such collaborations, the music here brings together seemingly disparate elementsbig band energy, melody, rhythmic drive, free blowing, ethereal vocalsand mixes them into a highly satisfying whole that will appeal to a broad spectrum of jazz fans.
Track Listing
Mra; Thoughts to Geoff; Dedicated to Mingus; Mongezi Feza; Four Whispers for Archie's Chair; Traumatic Experience; Cider Dance; A Song; Dancing Damon; Septober Energy; South African National Anthem; You Ain't Gonna Know Me 'Cos You Think You Know Me
Personnel
Keith Tippett
pianoKeith Tippett: piano; Julie Tippetts: voice; Louis Moholo-Moholo: drums, with Canto General: Gianna Montecalvo: voice; Cinzia Eramo: voice; Gabriella Schlavone: voice; Teresa Vallarella: voice; Loredana Perrini: voice; Maristella Schlavone: voice; Vittorino Curci: alto sax; Roberto Ottoviano: soprano sax, alto sax; Farbizio Scarafile: tenor sax; Felice Mezzina: tenor sax; Nicola Pisani: baritone sax; Marco Sannini: trumpet and flugelhorn; Luca Calabrese: trumpet and flugelhorn; Vincenzo De Luci: trumpet and flugelhorn; Vito Mitoli: trumpet and flugelhorn; Beppe Caruso: trombone, Lauro Rossi: trombone, Franco Angiolo: trombone, Michele Marzella: trombone; Giorgio Vendola: acoustic and electric basses; Francesco Angiuli: acoustic and electric basses; Livio Minifra: piano, keyboards; Vincenzo Mazzone: drums.
Album information
Title: Viva La Black Live At Ruvo | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Ogun Records
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