Follow The Sun

El'zabar, Kahil / Ritual Trio
Delmark Records
Jazz | Mar 2014

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2014-03-06
KAHIL EL’ZABAR’S RITUAL TRIO: Follow the Sun
Delmark, 2014

POSTBOP – First things first: yes, this CD has jazz bagpipes (track 3). AACM drummer Kahil El’Zabar has been doing his wonderful avant-soulful-consciousness thing since the 1970s, and always finds ways to keep it new and vital. Here he works with twin tenor saxophones, bass, and the marvelous, huge-voiced vocal shaman Dwight Trible (who really needs to be recorded more often). It’s a magical combo.

All good! Fo’s Picks: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9

1. 5:37 – upbeat walk: vocals pull like taffy over a steady funky groove
2. 13:04 – snappy standard: saxes spar, drive forward, 13 minutes go by quick
3. 9:18 – whoa… softly spiritual piano/kalimba intro, then low chant with passionate lead vocal and occasional bagpipe drone
4. 6:18 – uptempo vocal version of Wayne Shorter classic, flute, warbly sax
5. 5:00 – KILLER!… Bill Withers cover w/hand percussion and amazing vocals
6. 5:39 – tragic ballad with piano, billows like dark storm clouds, reaches out
7. 6:09 – the oldest of chestnuts sounds brand new… dark patter, strong vocal
8. 6:13 – fast hand drum groove; tight saxes have bright solos
9. 11:43 – live jam starts hot, then slow sexy funk; vocals like butter, then wild!

[ Fo ] - 6 March 2014

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Charting

2014-03-07 — 2014-05-09 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
May 11 3
May 4 4
Apr 27 1
Apr 20 2
Apr 13 2
Apr 6 2
Mar 30 3
Mar 23 2

Track listing

1. Follow The Sun
2. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
3. Great Black Music
4. Footprints
5. Grandma's Hands
6. Inner Heart
7. Body And Soul
8. Our Journey
9. Up Your Mind