Search - Abdullah Ibrahim :: African Suite

A mix

S. Hawkins | New York, NY | 02/22/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Abdullah Ibrahim has released two albums of this sort: this one (African Suite) and something of a follow-up (African Symphony). African Symphony was recorded (with much of the same material) with a larger orchestra, in order to try to flesh out some of the shortcomings of this album.



However, examining this album I find a lot to recommend it, and a lot to turn off listeners.



To begin with, the orchestra brings a beautiful, solemn timbre, that highlights tracks like Mindif - the piece gains an entirely new dark, brooding quality. Likewise, Ismael develops a heightened sense of urgency through the use of the strings. Thus, they bring a number of timbral enhancements, and occasionally draw out new elements of Ibrahim's melodies.



However, this comes at a notable cost. A lot of Ibrahim's finest work is with a trio, and for good reason. His music, indeed his playing, requires a rhythmic flexibility on the part of the players that is unique to him. This is why many jazz bands have difficulty playing his music, and also why some of his big band arrangements don't quite work out - the ensemble isn't quite flexible enough, rhythmically.



So one can imagine the issues an orchestra could have in this respect. Even Mindif, with its beautiful orchestral colors, loses a great deal in the rhythmic aspects of the melody; tracks like Tintinyana are outright lost causes in the hands of the orchestra.



This is not really an attack on the orchestra, who do play beautifully. Rather, this seems endemic of Ibrahim's music; that larger ensembles simply don't sound as good performing his music as smaller ensembles.



However, the CD is quite popular amongst other people. I suppose it depends on what aspects of his music you most highly value. If his melodies are your bag, then this album has a lot to offer. If the harmonic aspects or rhythmic suppleness are important to you, then this album may not be for you."

Well worth purchasing

Mr. Stuart Robert Harris | 08/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In response to an earlier, more derogatory review...yes, this is not like Ibrahim's earlier works (which are more like "jazz"). So what? It's great stuff. Ibrahim's trio maintains the high quality jazz performance that we've come to expect from him, while the string orchestra provides new rich harmonic layers for him to work with. THis is very inspired music...furthermore, the two different worlds blend very well. It is not "a string orchestra playing with Abdullah Ibrahim's trio"...it is a large ensemble seamlessly melding styles into a beautifully crafted album."

A suite success

E. Dymond | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 01/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This work reminds me of Mingus' "Let My Children Hear Music".

Breathtaking and vast in scope, it never wastes a note.

Here we have a meeting of great jazz chording with the experience, dissonant at times, with the landscape of the artists homeland.

The orchestral introductions never fail to lead the way they should.

I highly recommend this work."