While Phule and Gibo Pheto may not be household words among avant jazz
fans, the other three members of this ensemble should be well-known to
all. The mere presence of drummer Louis Moholo, saxophonist Evan Parker,
and bassist Barry Guy should and do guarantee a recording of very high
quality. Add to that Gibo Pheto's highly individualized style of bass
playing (that's right, two bassists) and the wooly, explosive pianism of
Phule Pheto and you have a quintet worth raving about. Bush Fire is
worth raving about for its execution certainly, but more important, it
is the defined and near-symbiotic musical relationship between Moholo
and Parker -- which drives these proceedings to their insanely feverish
pitch -- that is perhaps most astonishing. Indeed, on each of the ten
selections here, it is difficult to tell whom is leading whom, and the
identities of the two players seem to become liquid and switch. For
Parker's cascading multi-phonics that are at the heart of the title
track, "Baobab," and "For Chisa," Moholo rolls through a knotty attack
of snare accents and rim shots, only to be followed by Parker screaming a
series of arpeggios in return. When Moholo rides the crash cymbal in an
11/18 time signature for a full three minutes on "Flaming July," Parker
courses to the top of his ostinato speed with a phrase that is so
gnarly it accents the rhythm of the drum. Meanwhile the rest of the band
responds, not in kind, but in extremis, trying to keep the dynamics
fluctuating and liquid, adding color and space wherever possible and
solo as well. It's a breathtaking ride through the outer edges of free
jazz, but it's one so musical, so lyrically brilliant, it could never be
repeated. Thank the heavens for this recording.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1 Bush Fire 13:24
2 For Chisa 7:12
3 South Afrika Is Free - Ok? 11:48
4 Baobab 9:25
5 Mark Of Respect 4:18
6 Back Beat 6:26
7 Sticks 4:52
8 Coincidence 5:03
9 Flaming July 8:15
10 For Mpumi 8:03
Credits :
Bass – Gibo Pheto
Bass, Bass [Piccolo] – Barry Guy
Drums – Louis Moholo
Piano – Pule Pheto
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Evan Parker
