''The Journey'' is a long-form instrumental jazz album composed and led by South African pianist
Abdullah Ibrahim (also known as "Dollar Brand") after his move to New York City. This studio recording was made the day after the 17 September 1977
Alice Tully Hall concert pictured on the cover and included other veterans of Ibrahim's group Universal Silence:
Don Cherry,
Johnny Dyani
Johnny Mbizo Dyani (30 November 1945 – 24 October 1986) was a South African jazz double bassist, vocalist and pianist, who, in addition to being a key member of The Blue Notes, played with such international musicians as Don Cherry (jazz), Do ...
, and
Carlos Ward.
Release and reception
Ibrahim had released ''Cape Town Fringe'' earlier in the year, and while that album's African folk roots remain, the addition of many leading-edge New York jazzmen made ''The Journey'' a much more avant-garde affair.
The short "Sister Rose" begins things, a "sprightly calypso" suffused with the sound of Ibrahim's native
Cape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
.
Two lengthy improvisations follow—the first, "Jabulani", features an energetic rhythm section, soaring trumpet work, and atonal group playing. The 22-minute closer "Hajj (The Journey)" is a Middle Eastern–flavored work centered around a hypnotic piano riff, originally from "Eighty-First Street" on Ibrahim's 1968 album ''Hamba Khale!'' (with
Gato Barbieri
Leandro "Gato" Barbieri (November 28, 1932 – April 2, 2016) was an Argentine jazz tenor saxophonist who rose to fame during the free jazz movement in the 1960s and is known for his Latin jazz recordings of the 1970s. His nickname, Gato, is Spa ...
).
Track listing
All tracks written by Abdullah Ibrahim.
#"Sister Rosie" – 4:33
#"Jabulani (Joy)" – 17:38
#"Hajj (The Journey)" – 21:56
Personnel
*
Abdullah Ibrahim – piano, soprano saxophone
*
Hamiet Bluiett – baritone saxophone, clarinet
*
Don Cherry – trumpet
*
Talib Rhynie – alto saxophone, oboe
*
Carlos Ward – alto saxophone
*
Johnny Akhir Dyani – bass
*
Claude Jones – conga drums
*
John Betsch
John Betsch (born October 8, 1945) is an American jazz drummer.
Biography
Betsch was born in Jacksonville, Florida. His family belonged to the African-American upper class; his grandfather was the black millionaire Abraham Lincoln Lewis and his ...
– percussion
*
Roy Brooks
Roy Brooks (March 9, 1938 – November 15, 2005) was an American jazz drummer.
Biography Early life
Brooks was born in Detroit and drummed since childhood, his earliest experiences of music coming through his mother, who sang in church. He was a ...
– percussion
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Journey, The
1977 albums
Abdullah Ibrahim albums