American Jungle

Sonny Simmons | Format: Audio Cassette

Product Details

• Audio Cassette (April 8, 1997)
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002NEH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Track Listings

1. Land of the Freaks

2. Black, Blue & Purple (For the Great Lord Alain)

3. Coltrane Story

4. My Favorite Things

5. American Jungle Theme

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Voice of a jazz survivor, May 25, 2002

By 

Tyler Smith (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Jungle (Audio CD)

I rank Sonny Simmons among the best living jazz saxophonists. Never close to being a "household name," even in the restricted world of jazz, he has worked in unstintingly exploratory fashion since the 1960s, producing challenging records and enduring long stretches when it was difficult to bring his music to vinyl or CD. Still, during the 1990s, he enjoyed a bit of a renaissance, even landing a contract with Warner Brothers-owned Qwest, which produced this album and the very fine "Ancient Rituals."

I don't rank "American Jungle" (1995) as Sonny's best album, but it's still well worth having if you appreciate hard-driving saxophone by an intelligent, passionate and committed player. It certainly features some of his most lyrical playing, as on "Black, Blue and Purple" and his take on the famous Coltrane vehicle "My Favorite Things." The sound is softened somewhat by the piano of Travis Shook and the rather restrained drumming (for a Simmons band, anyway) of Cindy Blackman. A further tribute to Trane, "Coltrane Story," finds Sonny hitting a mid-60s-sounding groove his mentor would have approved of: hard-edged, and always pushing forward, but leavened by melodicism.

In fact, the slightly rounded-off sound is the only thing that tempers my appreciation of the album somewhat, although that's a matter of taste. Those who are interested in hearing a more aggressive and challenging Simmons are encouraged to check out his CIMP releases "Transcendence" and "Judgment Day" and his great '60s avant-garde flings with then-wife and trumpeter-extraordinaire Barbara Donald, "Manhattan Egos," "Stayin' on the Watch" and "Music from the Spheres." These albums display Sonny at his unbridled best, challenging the range of his instrument and truly extending the legacy of Coltrane's search for new sounds. Then again, it must be said that none of these albums are for the faint of heart or those who shy away from music that is confrontational.

That said, "American Jungle" is fine modern jazz and a good introduction to Sonny's music. He is in fine form, albeit seemingly at a bit of a resting place, it seems, before striking out again for further musical shores.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one swings hard!, August 30, 2010

By 

Arthur Simon (Albany, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Jungle (Audio CD)

I'll respectfully disagree with Tyler Smith on this one. This album was the first I'd heard by Sonny Simmons and it's still my favorite. When this came over the speakers at Tower Records in San Francisco (back in the day), I was totally enthralled. The grooves are rock solid, and it swings really hard. It's very much in the style of Coltrane's classic quartet. In my book those are all positives, and this one is my favorite Sonny Simmons recording.

I've got Transcendence, Backwoods Suite, Burning Spirits, Manhattan Egos and Staying on the watch, and for me they just don't swing like this one. I'm not dissing free jazz, I'd cite Cecil Taylor's dates with Ronald Shannon Jackson as high points of free jazz that can still swing.

So this one is my pick, followed by Ancient Ritual and Mixolydis. It grooves, it's got depth and soul, and it speaks to me. Your mileage may vary.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Undiscovered Classic, March 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: American Jungle (Audio CD)

Simmons reminds me of Lee Morgan's deconstructionist beb-bop, yet highly melodic style. Exquisite! This Five-Song Sampler is the perfect introduction to Sonny's music.