Thursday, December 17, 2009

Archie SHEPP - Four For Trane 1964


Archie SHEPP - Four For Trane  1964

Jazz

As far as jazz tribute albums go this one has been a classic since its birth and rightfully so. Archie Shepp doesn't just mimic Coltrane's sound or design but rather adds a blues tilt to them along with some slight improvisation as well. I can just imagine that Archie put his full effort into each and every note as he must have been aware that this release is going to have all ears focused on it since the title refers to the legend himself. Well, he very much did pull it off and the way the group plays together you would have thought they spent years working together on these tracks, which they didn't. Each track is pulled tight and Archie is in control throughout the whole album exploding with rhythm and beauty while the rest of the band sets the pace. There's a jazz author that refers Archie as Coltranes evil twin, and in this release you hear it very much. The last track, Shepp's only composition on the album, is probably my favorite on here. Fast paced tempo and a great free style. Such a great listen and a great tribute overall.
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Arguably saxophonist Archie Shepp's masterpiece, FOUR FOR TRANE can also be counted among avant-garde jazz's most seminal albums. Recorded in 1964, in the heyday of the free movement, FOUR FOR TRANE contains four tunes by John Coltrane, whose own music was blazing free jazz trails during the same period. Yet Shepp and company re-invent Coltrane's compositions, stripping them down to primal blues while catapulting them into the free-jazz stratosphere.

With drummer Charlie Moffet, tenor saxophonist John Tchicai, Coltrane bassist Reggie Workman, and trombonist Roswell Rudd (who also arranges the tunes here), Shepp unleashes an intense, exuberant romp through "Cousin Mary," "Mr. Syms," "Syeeda's Song Flute," and the gorgeous "Naima," before closing out the disc with a Shepp original. The playing is brilliant and bracing enough to make this album as revolutionary today as it was the day it was released.
From CD Universe.
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Archie Shepp- Tenor Sax
Alan Shorter- Flugelhorn
Roswell Rudd- Trombone
John Tchicai- Alto Sax
Reggie Workman- Bass
Charles Moffett- Drums
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A1. Syeeda's Song Flute 8:26
       Written-By - John Coltrane
A2. Mr. Syms 7:38
       Written-By - John Coltrane
B1. Cousin Mary 7:11
       Written-By - John Coltrane
B2. Naima 7:06
       Written-By - John Coltrane
B3. Rufus (Swung, His Face At Last To The Wind, Then His Neck Snapped) 6:23
       Written-By - Archie Shepp
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