Dogon A.D. [Limited Edition]

Julius Hemphill (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 18, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: International Phonograph, Inc.
• ASIN: B005H7Q0KU
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,637 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #8 in Music > Jazz > Avant Garde & Free Jazz
  • #11 in Music > Miscellaneous > Experimental Music

Track Listings

1. Dogon A.D. (14:30)

2. Rites (8:07)

3. The Painter (15:00)

4. The Hard Blues (20:07)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential document in jazz history, November 7, 2011

By 

greg taylor (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Dogon A.D. (Audio CD)

I just wanted to add a bit of history to the other reviews. This is the first CD release of a 1972 recording session of four musicians (five on The Hard Blues) that were largely unknown at the time.
The leader was Julius Hemphill on alto sax and flute. He is joined by Baikida E.J. Carroll on trumpet, Abdul Wadud on cello, Phillip Wilson on drums and Hamiett Bluiett on the bari (on The Hard Blues).
It would be hard to exaggerate the importance of this session on the free jazz/creative improv of the time. The only real comparisons are sessions like Roscoe Mitchell's Sound recordings or Braxton's For Alto recordings. In all three cases, the session in question introduced a new aesthetic into the burgeoning vocabulary of the free jazz tradition.

In the case of Dogon A.D. part of the effect was due to the combination of almost a country blues feel with free jazz. This is apparent on the title track and on The Hard Blues (which for reasons of space was only released on the Coon Bid'ness LP that followed later). Part of the effect was instrumentation- the use of Wadud's cello created a whole new sound palette and led to many alto/cello sessions. Part of the effect was due to the sophistication and density of some of the group improvs (Rites) contrasted with the openness (or spareness) of the sound on some of the other tunes. What was apparent with Hemphill from the start was a wide open approach to music- a love of the blues, of the different textures available from the instruments in this group, of complexity and of simplicity. In other words, Hemphill from the start was a complete composer and musician in full exploration of the possibilities.

Hemphill and Bluiett would go to form The World Saxophone Quartet with David Murray and Oliver Lake, one of the most important ensemble in jazz in the last fifty years. Later in his life, Hemphill would experiment with saxophone sextets.
This recording session is the beginning of an artistic life (all too short) devoted to the creation of great collective art. Get it now people while you can.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do Not DRAG ON. Get it!, November 1, 2011

By 

Speedy (Fl, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dogon A.D. (Audio CD)

I had this as a download from some free jazz blog in the internet as it was the only way to listen to this music. Then Marty Ehrlich did a wonderful version of the main title in his also wonderful cd 'Things have got to change'. I have others from Hemphill which are great but this is a special one. It has that 'i don't know what' that only classic recordings usually have. The sparseness of the sound and the particular instrumentation (cello, sax, trumpet and drums) sure help to give this it's uniqueness. Let's just say that if you like Ornette, Ayler, Threadgill, free-yet-composed-jazz, and the likes, you are in for a real treat.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, October 20, 2011

By 

Kevin - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dogon A.D. (Audio CD)

This is my favorite jazz album of the last 40 years.
Amazing composition from Mr. Hemphill and great collective playing from all involved. Sound constructed to tell a story with each song. Space and timing used to maximum effect. I have 2 copies of this on vinyl and now I finally have it on CD. I am so happy, I am singing the title song. Great Music! Amazing players!