Search - Kahil El'Zabar, David Murray :: We Is: Live at the Bop Shop

Smokin' live album

Troy Collins | Lancaster, PA United States | 10/12/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album, recorded live at the Bop Shop in Rochester, NY further documents Kahil El'Zabar and David Murray's decade plus musical partnership. A forceful and impassioned pair, El'Zabar and Murray literally take no prisoners on this energetic and vivacious session.



Chicago based percussionist Kahil E'Zabar has over 25 years on the scene, and is leader of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble and the Ritual Trio. Tenor saxophonist David Murray rose to prominence at the close of the loft scene in the late 1970's as one of the finest neo-traditionalists around. The pair has previously recorded two duet albums, 1989's "Golden Sea," and 1999's "One World Family." "Love Outside of Dreams," from 2002 found the late bassist Fred Hopkins expanding the pair to a trio. As the leader of various quartets, octets and big bands, Murray shines as star soloist in these intimate duo settings. As their partnership goes back well over a decade so benefits their level of improvisational interplay.



"Blues Affirmation," the calm center of the album finds Murray blowing soft melodic lines that brush up against more quietly agitated phrasing while El'Zabar plays an amplified sanza that sounds both futuristic and ancient at once. Tunes like "Groove Allure" and "One World Family" allow the duo a chance to truly get their groove on. That's Afro-centric styled groove by the way, as tribal hand drumming coaxes Murray's playing into a thick and sinuous down home funk. Further up the scale are "Sweet Meat" and the title track, which feature El'Zabar's hyper-kinetic trap set work driving Murray's tenor along. Chromatic scales surge by as he launches off into the stratosphere with piercing altissimo runs that occasionally get sidelined by Dolphy-esque bleats and honks. Murray hasn't played this aggressively in quite some time and it is a delight to hear him sound so unrestrained.



For those looking for a taste of what truly sounds "Ancient to the Future" as the AACM's motto goes, this well recorded live date will more than fit the bill."

CENTERING THE STORM, FOCUSING THE EYE.

Michael F. Hopkins | Buffalo, NY USA | 10/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Enter the heart of ritual, the cry of Music uplifting the

spirit, quickening the heart, and bolstering the hour at

hand. Courtesy Delmark Records, here is a gathering of

grand mastery and raging skill, wielding and sharing

their gifts with a quiet fire that casts haunting

lyrical spells.

WE IS: LIVE AT THE BOP SHOP is a consummate live recording

of a stalwart duo whose music spans the entire spectrum

of African American song, from the grittiest Blues to the

fiercest Swing, unafraid to jam freely, and sail with the

most soulful groove.

Not that one could have any doubt about this duo's versatility,

given just who they are. Pistol-packing reedslinger David

Murray has been a juggernaut of Great Black Music for over

25 years. His romping diddy-wah dirt talk is matched

solidly by the sweet croon of his cacao tonality, and

the serpentine snap of his devil-snatching gospel. More

than ever, his tenor saxophone play and wistful

bass clarinet work each distinguishes one the great

wonders in Jazz. Add to this his peerless vision as

a composer, and his tireless achievements as a

bandleader and orchestrator, and you may see why

Murray is one of the great champions of creative,

uncompromising Music; throwing a gauntlet to the

vested interests of arid Marsalis revisionism and

glib Kenny G parlor room antics alike.

Bringing his fire to bear in the past decade or so, Kahil

El'Zabar is a wonder. A percussion houngan of the first

water, El'Zabar's spirit flow runs quite deep. A wizard

on the "traditional" traps, El'Zabar has the roots at

his fingertips with his cunga play. Almost single-handedly,

he has brought the African finger piano to full stature

in Jazz, tickling the ear with all one needs to hear,

making the conjurous bite as tasty as it is nutritious.

His leadership in bringing the Jazz vanguard to the

limelight over the years has been paramount in the

exposure of song which many still refuse to play, or

even respect.

Listen to the majesty, the humility, and the sheer joy

of all El'Zabar and Murray accomplish here, recorded in

the heart of a great independent Jazz & Blues store in

Rochester, New York. Be enchanted. Then ask why such

superb Music is perpetually denied its fair share of

exposure in the marketplace, or the airways, or the

"greater" concert stages of this land.



Take up your pursuit of a vital artistry here."