The Paxton / Spangler Septet: Ugqozi

Ugqozi is a celebration of modern, urban African music, especially that from South Africa, with which co-leaders trombonist John "Tbone" Paxton and percussionist RJ Spangler have been in love for decades. It is also an affirmation of the vibrant Detroit scene of which the multi-generational Paxton / Spangler Septet is a part.

Actually, the band is not a septet. Depending on whether one goes by the sleeve credits or the press release, it is either an octet with three guests or a nonet with two. Not a septet anyway. And not that it matters. But just for the pedantic record.

Mostly mid-tempo, sunny and played with a winning loose-limbed swing, Ugqozi, which means "inspiration" in IsiZulu, is a seven-track affair with a 58:10 playing time (which seems shorter). The material mostly consists of covers, of which five are by iconic (for once the word is justified) elders and ancestors, and one, "Ithemba," by rising South African star, pianist Nduduzo Makhathini. The other five are trumpeter Mongezi Feza's "You Ain't Gonna Know Me 'Cos," trombonist Caiphus Semenya's "Part Of A Whole," Fela Kuti's "Water No Get Enemy," Miriam Makeba and Jerry Ragovoy's "Pata Pata" and Abdullah Ibrahim's "Jabulani Easter Joy."

The sole original, "Lwandle's Lullaby," is by guest tenor saxophonist Salim Washington, who also plays oboe and flute on the track, which has echoes of Pharoah Sanders' late 1960s, early 1970s astral jazz and in particular his Impulse debut as leader, Tauhid (1967). With Detroit bassist Jeff Cluny, who does not figure in the lineup, Washington also wrote the unfussy and effective arrangements for the album.

The septet going on nonet is packed with strong soloists, notably including Paxton, saxophonists Washington, Dan Bennett and Kasan Belgrave (trumpeter Marcus Belgrave's son) and keyboardist Phillip J. Hale. Baritone saxophonist Alex Harding is heard only on "Water No Get Enemy," which he got to know well as a member of the onstage band during part of the US run of Fela! The Musical, and on which he here contributes a magnificent solo..

All up, the perfect soundtrack for a long, hot (in a good way) summer.

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