ARCHIE SHEPP - The Magic Of Ju-Ju (1967-2000) RM | Impulse! Best 50 – 21 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On this 1967 Impulse release, tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp unleashed his 18-minute tour de force "The Magic of Ju-Ju," combining free jazz tenor with steady frenetic African drumming. Shepp's emotional and fiery tenor takes off immediately, gradually morphing with the five percussionists -- Beaver Harris, Norman Connor, Ed Blackwell, Frank Charles, and Dennis Charles -- who perform on instruments including rhythm logs and talking drums. Shepp never loses the initial energy, moving forward like a man possessed as the drumming simultaneously builds into a fury. Upon the final three minutes, the trumpets of Martin Banks and Michael Zwerin make an abrupt brief appearance, apparently to ground the piece to a halt. This is one of Shepp's most chaotic yet rhythmically hypnotic pieces. The three remaining tracks, somewhat overshadowed by the title piece, are quick flourishes of free bop on "Shazam," "Sorry Bout That," and the slower, waltz-paced "You're What This Day Is All About." Al Campbell
Tracklist :
1     The Magic of Ju-Ju 18:37
Archie Shepp    
2     You're What This Day Is All About 1:51
Archie Shepp    
3     Shazam! 4:43
Archie Shepp    
4     Sorry 'Bout That 10:07
Archie Shepp    
Credits
Bass – Reggie Workman
Drums – Beaver Harris, Norman Connor
Percussion – Dennis Charles
Percussion [Rhythm Logs] – Eddie Blackwell
Percussion [Talking Drums] – Frank Charles
Producer – Bob Thiele
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Martin Banks
Trumpet, Trombone – Michael Zwerin