Customer Reviews

Spirits of Our Ancestors

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This 2 Cd Set revisits many of Weston's Classic compositions with some new arrangements by Melba Liston. Along with Weston's excellent "African Rhythms" band and Dizzy Gillespie and the great Pharoah Sanders sit in on a couple of tracks. All cuts are very strong but "African Cookbook" is on fire!

This is probably the definitive Weston. A good place to start if you unfamiliar with this musical "Giant."

Randy Weston and Melba Liston collaborate once again, bringing us one of the most interesting jazz albums I've ever heard (and I've heard my share). It has a perfect mixture of free form jazz with subtle touches of African influences (particulary percussion). The highlight of the album is 'Blue Moses'. Hearing Pharoah Sanders solo using the gaita along with 2 bass players playing at a ridiculously fast speed is just amazing. A must own cd!

...And you get Dizzy Gillespie and Pharaoh Sanders to boot! Randy Weston is a fantastic pianist and a true original. He started over 5 decades ago with a heavy Monk and Ellington influence. Since the early 60's Weston has traveled extensively throughout Africa and has worked all kinds of African elements seamlessly into his style, along with free jazz, to come up with a totally unique style. These influences are most obviously evident in the percussion instruments, but they are also present in his piano style, though you have to listen for them.

This double CD gives you a cross-section of various styles, and most of it is excellent (I'm not crazy about the Arabic chanting piece). The guest appearances are certainly enjoyable, but at the heart of it is Weston's piano playing. I saw him play a solo performance as an opening act, and he absolutely stole the show.

This and the Mosaic Select box set Mosaic Select: Randy Weston are two great places to start exploring his music.