Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Charlie Apicella & Iron City: The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling
Charlie Apicella & Iron City: The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling
ByOn his eighth, and so far most ambitious, project The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling, he is joined by three masters of free improvisation for a single, nine-part, stimulating and boundary-pushing suite. The mostly improvised music incorporates occasional pre-written passages by Apicella, and, in addition to western instruments, utilises Himalayan and West African ones.
Opening with "As the Sun Rises," multi-reed player Daniel Carter, bassist William Parker and Apicella set a meditative mood before the entire band launches into "Titan vs Sphinx." Carter's lines float coolly over organist Brad Whiteley and drummer Austin Walker's percolating groove. The collective extemporization, with Apicella contributing resonant blistering chords, progresses with unfettered energy.
The exciting piece seamlessly dovetails into the mystical "Juma's Song / Maliki Melasha." Percussionist Juma Sultan drives the cadence while Parker contributes his trademark, eloquent and virtuosic basslines. The ambience is one of primal spirituality. Apicella and Carter engage in a sparse conversation over the controlled yet riotous ensemble performance. The result is contemplative and thrilling.
An understated soulfulness permeates the entire album. On the segment called "Where Do You Find These People?," an angular rhythmic structure is at the core of the pensive performance. Carter's saxophone wails while Whiteley contributes simmering refrains. Walker and Sultan drive this meandering track with their poignant beats. Here, as at many instants on this recording, the band flirts with but never quite embraces dissonance.
The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling is not only a delightful melding of styles, it is also vibrant and alive with brilliant spontaneity. Using international folk instruments, similar to his mentor multi-reed player Yusef Lateef, Apicella demonstrates music's pan cultural appeal which is both very individual yet universal. Apicella has succeeded in creating a work which is simultaneously provocative and has wide appeal.
Track Listing
As the Sun Rises; Titan vs. Sphinx; Juma's Song / Maliki Melasha; We're All Here in Spirit; It's Alright to Run; I Heard in Passing; If You Know Where to Look; Where Do You Find These People?; Sparks.
Personnel
Charlie Apicella
guitarDaniel Carter
saxophoneWilliam Parker
bassJuma Sultan
percussionBrad Whiteley
pianoAustin Walker
drumsAdditional Instrumentation
Daniel Carter: flute, clarinet, trumpet, piano; Charlie Apicella: madal drum, Tibetan singing bowls; William Parker: doson ngoni, gralla, gembiri, pocket trumpet; Brad Whiteley, organ.
Album information
Title: Destiny Calling | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: OA2 Records
< Previous
Slide Hampton, Joe Pass, Woody Hermon...
Next >
Why Do You Mourn
Comments
About Charlie Apicella
Instrument: Guitar
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar To