Journey

by Dollar Brand, Abdullah Ibrahim

Overview

South African pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim (still known as Dollar Brand at the time this recording was first made) joined forces with several well-known figures in avant-garde jazz, including trumpeter Don Cherry and baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett, for this 1978 session. As a result, not all of the music is the hypnotic, very rhythmic music that he is known for. Following the outstanding but brief opener, "Sister Rosie," during which the leader sticks exclusively to playing soprano sax, the sound changes dramatically. "Jabulani (Joy)" starts off promising enough, but quickly segues into an energetic but dull atonal group improvisation. "Hajj (Journey)" also opens with a hypnotic piano vamp that adopts a bit of a Middle Eastern flavor with a call and response between Talib Rhynie's oboe and the rest of the band, though it doesn't always hold one's interest, as it is stretched to nearly 22 minutes. Avant-garde fans will want to check this unusual date in Abdullah Ibrahim's sizable discography. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	05/06/2003
Label:	Downtown Sound / Downtown
UPC:	0091454110025
Rank:	104292

Tracks

1. Sister Rosie
2. Jabulani (Joy)
3. Hajj (The Journey)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Abdullah Ibrahim   Primary Artist,Piano,Sax (Soprano)
Dollar Brand   Primary Artist
Roy Brooks   Guest Artist,Drums
Hamiet Bluiett   Guest Artist,Clarinet,Sax (Baritone)
Don Cherry   Guest Artist
Johnny Dyani   Bass
Talib Rhynie   Oboe,Sax (Alto)
John Betsch   Percussion
Don Cherry & Ed Blackwell   Trumpet
Claude Jones   Congas
Carlos Ward   Sax (Alto)

Technical Credits

Hank O'Neal   Producer,Liner Notes
Jon Bates   Mastering,Digital Assembly
Abdullah Ibrahim   Composer
Ron Warwell   Design
Ian Clifford   Digital Restoration
Rollo Phlecks   Photography
Bruce Gerstein   Remixing,Engineer