Search - Archie Shepp, Don Cherry :: N.Y. Contemporary Five

Archie Shepp, aged 26

jazzprofessor | Brussels Belgium | 03/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An all too often overlooked landmark record documenting the stellar rise of three great new voices from the sixties jazz revolution - Don Cherry, John Tchicai and Archie Shepp - this is one of the best live records around; recorded live in copenhagen in 1963, it paved the way for Ornette Coleman's age-defining "Live at the Golden Circle", recorded in Stockholm in 1965 - another jazz landmark that is inevitably brought to mind here by the generous sprinkling of Coleman originals ("When Will The Blues Leave" et al.) The inclusion of two trademark angular Monk tunes add to the overall sophisticated mood - this 'free jazz' is a far cry from the relentless sonic assaults that would soon after bludgeon beatniks into oblivion the world over ("Ascension", "Unity"). Although it would be a bit overreaching to call this Archie Shepp's finest hour, there is an erratic lightness in this set that I sadly miss in his later, pompous revisions of the jazz/blues tradition. Early avantgarde vibes at their playful best."