HAL SINGER & JEF GILSON - SOUL OF AFRICA | FLY

If the 60s were all about getting back in touch with your African roots (Art Blakey, Yusef Lateef, etc), Hal Singer was no exception. Having had a No. 1 hit with ‘Cornbread’ in 1948, a track that gave him his nickname, he enjoyed five lengthy tours of Africa. Arriving in Paris in 1965 and meeting Jef Gilson (who had reputation for original productions), they were the perfect partnership for the foundation of Parisian Afro-centric jazz.

No track better illustrates this than ‘Chant Inca’ and this percussive workout is worth the price of the CD on its own. The only track that’s slightly off the pace, and I’d emphasise slightly, is ‘Garvey’s Strut’ which has a ‘St. Thomas’ Way’ Caribbean flavour to it.

The bonus tracks are taken from the other side of the Jef Gilson Septet avec Lloyd Miller 10”, ‘Le Grand Bidou’ and the classic, ‘Fable Of Guttenbeg’.

This is the must have album of the month and an early contender for re-issue of the year. If you’re into spiritual jazz, this continues the excellent Free Spirits series on Kindred Spirits as it would be a good idea to check out previous releases Alborada by The Prime Element (KS RE 1 CD) and Gary Marks’ Gathering (KS RE 2 CD).

Reviewed: Hal Singer & Jef Gilson — Soul Of Africa (Kindred Spirits) Cat. No: KS RE 3 CD Release date: 14th January 2008 [EU+UK], 23rd January 2008 [U.S.]

Tracklisting:
01 Hal Singer & Jef Gilson — Chant Inca (8:40)
02 Hal Singer & Jef Gilson — Mother Africa (6:53)
03 Hal Singer & Jef Gilson — The High Life (3:58)
04 Hal Singer & Jef Gilson — Libertarian (5:26)
05 Hal Singer & Jef Gilson — Garvey’s Strut (6:06)
07 Jef Gilson Septet Avec Lloyd Miller — Le Grand Bidou (5:18)
08 Jef Gilson Septet Avec Lloyd Miller — Fabel Of Gutenberg (4:54)

Links:
www.kindred-spirits.nl
Gilles Peterson :: 11th October 2007 :: Moodymann takeover
Modern Jazz Gang — ‘Miles Before and After’ (Adventure)
Jay Electronica — ‘Voodoo Man’ (Test)
Jef Gilson Septet avec Lloyd Miller — ‘Fable of Gutenberg’ (Spirit Jazz)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rive_Gauche
www.steve-reid.com
www.myspace.com/fourtetkieranhebden

Jef Gilson Avec Lloyd Miller & Hal Singer

Straight from the heart of the avant garde free spirited jazz movenent around Paris in the early & mid 60’s comes this special release thanks to the Kindred Spirit label. The pioneering composer/ pianist Jeff Gilson inspired and attracted many musicians with his adventurous approach and the mystique surrounding his sound. I suppose Sun Ra springs to mind but this is out on its own with only faint references to artists such as Francy Boland and Phillip Cohran.
The 4 tracks feature Lloyd Miller and his unusual sounding balafon/microrgan instrument on the earlier two tracks and saxophonist Hal Singer on the later two tracks, which take on board the influences gathered from Gilson’s travels to Madagascar and beyond.
Don’t miss out on this collectable 10” which also features superb details in the cover art and the liner notes.

http://www.therecordroom.co.uk