Archie Shepp
Ever since Windy & Carl copied the artwork from The Way Ahead by Archie Shepp, I wanted to learn more. This was actually one of my first hints at the influence jazz (and especially free-jazz) has had on many of the bands I was already listening to (my first jazz epiphany came when I heard Filles De Kilimanjaro which you can read on my Miles Davis page). The name has always stuck in my head, but like many other artists, I didn't give it a try until much later when my budget permitted me to purchase one or two albums. I decided to go ahead when I found one of his albums used while looking for the Sunspots editions of all BYG/Actuel releases.
I am still not a connoisseur of Shepp's work and legacy, but the man obviously is a force to be reckoned with as he was once regarded as one of the most powerful figures in free-avant-garde-jazz. His sound has mellowed throughout the years and somewhat lost most of it's initial spark, but the early albums are still there for all of us to enjoy and look back upon. Along with Ayler, Shepp was one of the most voracious voices in jazz who communicated his rage through his saxophone. A free spirit who collaborated with many greats (from Don Cherry to Cecil Taylor), Shepp has left us respectful body of work which has stood the test of time.
Yasmina, A Black WomanLabel: Sunspots Release: 1969 Format: CD Cat. no: SPOT 519 |
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