Search - Sonny Simmons :: Ancient Ritual

Ancient Ritual
Sonny Simmons
Ancient Ritual
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (8) - Disc #1

Sonny Simmons came out of New York's early-'60s avant-garde jazz scene. On this, his first album in a dozen years, Simmons shakes off years of unjust obscurity to emerge as a major talent. The noisy, superficial aspects of...  more »

     
1

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Sonny Simmons
Title: Ancient Ritual
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Original Release Date: 7/19/1994
Release Date: 7/19/1994
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style: Avant Garde & Free Jazz
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 093624562320, 093624562344, 603497203369

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Sonny Simmons came out of New York's early-'60s avant-garde jazz scene. On this, his first album in a dozen years, Simmons shakes off years of unjust obscurity to emerge as a major talent. The noisy, superficial aspects of the early-'60s jazz scene have been stripped away from his playing but the essence of free jazz--the ability to follow an impulse wherever it leads--remains in Simmons's twisting, restless compositions. Accompanied by the propulsive rhythms of his son Zarak Simmons on drums and Charnett Moffett on bass, Simmons plays long, long solos which maintain an astonishing harmonic continuity even as they snake in every direction except the expected one. --Geoffrey Himes

Similar CDs


Similarly Requested CDs

 

CD Reviews

Invisible Standout
Anonymous Lover of Beauty | 05/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."
Great obscure gem
Andreas C G | Huntington Beach, CA United States | 02/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"
Gets better if you just roll with it.
Biggie Man - savior of the universe | S.W. Pennsylvania | 08/04/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."