Customer Reviews

Way Ahead

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Way Ahead" is one of Archie Shepp's best albums for the Impulse label, and in my opinion, finally provides the overall consistency that is lacking in some of the earlier releases. While the tunes are eclectic, from the warped avant-blues "The Stroller" to the fiery "Frankenstein" to Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady," it is the group's approach and telepathic improvising that distinguish this recording. While the group only has three horns in the frontline (Shepp, Grachan Moncur and trumpeter Jimmy Owens) compared to four each on "Four for Trane" and "Fire Music," they get a richer, fuller sound here. Just compare this "Frankenstein" to the version on Jackie McLean's "One Step Beyond." There are so many added horn textures here it's like they are different songs. The addition of a piano-man, Walter Davis, is unique to Shepp's Impulse catalog, and really helps bolster the rhythm section and strengthen the overall sound. The fact that two lengthy tracks, "New Africa" and "Bakai," have been added to the CD reissue makes "The Way Ahead" truly way ahead.

As an earlier review states, Shepp tended to have some dead spots on his earlier releases. This on cooks from start to finish (which includes two great tracks from his "Kwanza" lp). The addition of piano makes this set his most accessable impulse cd. The piano reinforces the feeling of the blues which as always been present with Shepp, but here there is no denying it. HIghlights include "Frnkenstein" and "Bakai."

Sad world we live in, only two previous reviews for this classic Shepp CD. Ah, well, more's the pity for the uninitiated. At least the reviews were positive, as you can tell this one will definitely be. If you're in the mood for some challenging Free Jazz, Avant-Garde, Improvisational Music, whatever label you'd like to hang on it- Look No Further! This is a wonderful place to start. With the following personnel: Dave Burrell,Ron Carter, Beaver Harris,Jimmy Owens,Charles Davis, Grachan Moncur III,Walter Booker,Walter Davis, Jr., and Roy Haynes, Mr. Archie Shepp created a small masterpiece with this outstanding set of songs! Buy it, put it on, and FEEL IT!

The way Archie Shepp extracts and molds the blues in jazz coincides exactly with the way Jimi Hendrix extracted and molded blues into a rock format.

Archie Shepp was a front runner in the avant garde/new thing jazz scene in the mid-late 1960's - much of the mst acsessible albums, like this one, were released on Impulse! Records. Matter of fact, ANYTHING you can get your hands on that was recorded on the Impulse! label during the 60's is bound to be champion album in creative/imrov group expression

Archie Shepp's "The Way Ahead" begins with a half-rythmic bass line played by the one and only Ron Carter while Archie blows some sax burts. From then on there and for the rest of the album, each track continues to build and explore while keeping a 'much-more-easier-to-listen-to-on-the-first-try-than-other-avant garde-albums' groove.

If you are new to the acoustic avant-garde/free-jazz world - this is a PERFECT place of origin to start researching. This album is filled with bent-up blues licks and everything you would expect from a top-notch Impusle! line up of musicians.

5 stars. Flawless.

IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY THIS CD ONE WILL HAVE TO HAVE PAID HIS OR HER LIFE'S DUES. CHAOS IS SUPPORTING NORMALCY, WHICH IS, IN ITSELF, MUNDANE AND ULTIMATELY FORGETTABLE. ARCHIE POKES FUN AT THE LATTER WHILE HARNESSING THE GIFT THAT ALL PEOPLE HAVE AT BIRTH, BUT IS LOST DUE TO THE RELENTLESS EXPOSURE TO THE SUPPRESSIVE NATURE OF CONTEMPORARY POPULARITY, AND THAT IS UNINHIBITED EXPRESSION. ARCHIE'S CD IS FREE WILL EXPRESSED THROUGH MUSIC. GOOD-BYE.

I've had this album for years, and just gave it another spin tonight. Wow this album has GUTS!!!! Great from start to finish. Just remember this is "avante-garde" jazz. Don't expect anything as cool or smooth as Miles Davis here. It jumps around quite a bit, and the sounds are quite dissonant, but blend amazingly well. You need to be in the right mood to listen to this. If you had a bad day at work, do not put this disc on, as you just might reach for the knives! It can be amazingly refreshing while you are relaxed, it certainly makes you think about how it is all put together.