Search - Don Cherry :: Eternal Rhythm

Free Jazz Meets World Music

01/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eternal Rhythm is to world music what On the Corner is to fusion. In other words, its a mind blowing experience that redefines the genre. Every instrument from gamelan to flute to yup that's Sonny Sharrock on guitar is explored here. If you are looking for peaceful world music look elsewhere. However, if you are in the mood for a challenging listen that will take you to other places and redefine what jazz means to you get ready. This is by far Don Cherry's best album. The reissue was well worth the wait."

Amazing music

Allan MacInnis | Vancouver | 02/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc is common in Japan, though a limited edition has come out done in a mini-sized "lp"-style cover, which might be what's being sold here (sorry, I dunno!). It's a terrific recording, in any event. Recorded live in Berlin in 1968, the lineup consists largely of European musicians (Arild Andersen, Joachim Kuhn, Karl Berger, Bernt Rosengren, and others); the only really familiar name featured is Sonny Sharrock, who, as far as I know, is not on record anywhere else with Cherry. Cherry can be heard here incorporating gamelans, prepared piano, gongs, varied flutes and bells, and other at-that-time "unusual" instruments into the composition, which is a huge, at times VERY free, very intoxicating work (and also features saxophones, trumpets, drums, and other conventional jazz instruments, in case that isn't clear). It's still tied more to his free jazz work than the gorgeous multicultural textures of BROWN RICE (which I personally consider the highlight of Cherry's career as a composer and innovator, though it's barely even a jazz album), but the movement from the one to the other is clearly underway and visible on this recording. It's is an intense experience, so much so that it's tempting to whip out references to "Dionysian rapture" and so forth. If free jazz is a transcendent experience for you, this album will satisfy immensely. Cherry's in good form as a player here, too; he even plays two flutes at once on one cut, one from Bengal, the other made of bamboo -- a fascinating moment. Oh, and by the way -- it's all basically one piece of music, though reflecting the LP division is divided into two movements."