Customer Reviews

Ancient Ritual

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sonny Simmons is best known for a number of records he recorded in the 60's in the post-bop to Avant-Guarde style, including 2 with Prince Lasha ("Firebirds" is a masterpiece) and one Elvin Jones and Jimmy Garrison.

On this CD Simmons dispenses with the dissonance and wierdness of 60's Free Jazz, but he retains the passion and creativity of his previous recordings.

Whether playing Alto Sax or English Horn, Simmons has a unique, instantly recognizable style. It is a travesty that this man doesn't get more recognition.

This CD is easily recommended. Snap it up before it disappears again!

One wants to believe in critical merit, in the general public's good taste, but when an album like "Ancient Ritual" is all but ignored, it's hard to resist cynicism. Not much to report past that. The fact is that Mr. Simmons returned to the scene after a long hiatus and produced a standout album. A gas from top to bottom. Cooks and swings...and that is something all too rare in contemporary jazz. Spread the word.

69 minutes of music. The sound is clean, warm, and open. The booklet contains information on the songs and Simmons approach to music.

For those who are scared off with Sonny Simmons link to "free jazz", "outside jazz", or whatever it's labeled-forget all that. Simmons early days with Prince Lasha (pronounced "Lashay"), or his fine album "Manhattan Egos", are most assuredly in the free jazz camp. But not this fine set of music. Eight compositions-all written by Simmons-the trio (Simmons-alto sax/English Horn), His son Zarak (drums), and the fine player Charnett Moffett (bass), blow through many melodic changes in a fine set of late 20th Century jazz.

Simmons has become a more introspective, sensitive, quiet composer over the years. This is jazz with teeth, but it won't bite you (like Anthony Braxton for instance), no matter if it's your first or fiftieth playing of this album. Throughout, Simmons' well thought out and arranged compositions are very sensitive, intelligent, and exciting. No matter if it's up tempo ("Trumpet Ship"), or a ballad ("Crystal"), Simmons' investment in his music is very deep. This is a mature musician playing honest-to-goodness, real jazz. The kind that you don't hear too much nowadays. He's no pretender-he's the real deal. And with a rhythm section that not only lays down a good foundation, but is capable of filling in the spaces between Simmons' notes, this is one fine album. Probably the closest to his style from years ago is the title tune. But even that is full of melodies, with Simmons going "outside" occasionally to stir things up.

But I also encourage you to pick up Simmons' "Manhattan Egos", on Arhoolie Records. While it's a style Simmons is known for (avant garde), and yes it's high energy blowing (including Simmons' then wife Barbara Donald on trumpet-and Zarak's mother), it's full of exciting, visceral playing-fierce and lyrical that has a sense all it's own. But if your tastes run towards something a bit tamer but of high quality-pick up "Ancient Ritual". It's beautiful music from a master musician.

I did not plan to write a review right now.
I was just listening to this CD and wanted to know who was playing drums, so I just cruised over to Amazon....

ONLY TO REALIZE THERE WERE ONLY TWO REVIEWS TALKING ABOUT THIS CD!!!

That just will not do at all.
You have to realize that the disc, right now is only $3.21 used.
Couple that with the S & H and you get an A W E S O M E CD for less than $6.00.

I would love to just say BUY IT already, geez, but that doesn't work for you all.

Okay, for one thing, like one of the other reviewers said, Sonny's solos are unpredictable --- they don't resolve as you would expect. Once you stop thinking about that, and just roll with it, the sax playing just works.
It is challenging.

(for a second, if you are not listening carefully, you might wonder if that is Ornette Coleman jamming)

The drummer turns out to be Simmons's son, who is a monster!
He is amazing, and the ((( bass playing ))) [Moffett] is just spot-on the whole disc. This music does not over power, but for that being said, it kicks ass for most of the album. This is not jazz to go to sleep to.
Not at all.

The rhythm section smokes.
This creates such a perfect platform for Simmon's diverse and seeming odd runs.

*** If you are not afraid of challenging jazz, feast on this! ***

On the other hand, if reading this, you are thinking, "Hmmm, I don't know,"
--- you are right: you probably shouldn't.

Peace cats.