South African pianist and composer {|Abdullah Ibrahim|} (still known as {|Dollar Brand|} at the time this recording was first made) joined forces with several well-known figures in avant-garde jazz, including trumpeter {|Don Cherry|} and baritone sax... Read more

South African pianist and composer {|Abdullah Ibrahim|} (still known as {|Dollar Brand|} at the time this recording was first made) joined forces with several well-known figures in avant-garde jazz, including trumpeter {|Don Cherry|} and baritone saxophonist {|Hamiet Bluiett|}, for this 1978 session. As a result, not all of the music is the hypnotic, very rhythmic music that he is known for. Following the outstanding but brief opener, {|Sister Rosie,|} during which the leader sticks exclusively to playing soprano sax, the sound changes dramatically. {|Jabulani (Joy)|} starts off promising enough, but quickly segues into an energetic but dull atonal group improvisation. {|Hajj (Journey)|} also opens with a hypnotic piano vamp that adopts a bit of a Middle Eastern flavor with a call and response between {|Talib Rhynie|}'s oboe and the rest of the band, though it doesn't always hold one's interest, as it is stretched to nearly 22 minutes. Avant-garde fans will want to check this unusual date in {|Abdullah Ibrahim|}'s sizable discography. ~ Ken Dryden Less