Conversations (Archie Shepp and Kahil El'Zabar album) explained

Conversations
Type:studio
Artist:Archie Shepp with Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio
Cover:Conversations (Archie Shepp and Kahil El'Zabar album).jpg
Released:1999
Recorded:January 23 & 24, 1999
Studio:Riverside Studio, Chicago, IL
Genre:Jazz
Length:60:39
Label:Delmark
DE-514
Producer:Kahil El'Zabar, Robert G. Koester
Chronology:Kahil El'Zabar
Prev Title:Papa's Bounce
Prev Year:1998
Next Title:Freedom Jazz Dance
Next Year:1999

Conversations is an album by saxophonist Archie Shepp with Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio, which also includes Ari Brown and Malachi Favors, which was recorded in 1999 and released on the Delmark label.[1] [2] [3]

Reception

In his review for AllMusic, Michael G. Nastos notes "In a dedication to the late bassist Fred Hopkins, Shepp returns to the recording studio armed with his no-compromise, no-nonsense way of playing the tenor saxophone. It's still as cutting-edge dour as ever, supported by the beautiful underpinnings of the trio ... To say Shepp is back would be shortsighted; he's always been around ... This is a resolute affirmation of his powers, punctuating that he's still a vital force in the new music, as are his backup constituents on this very fine CD, a perfect introduction for the uninitiated and a must-buy for longtime fans" On All About Jazz, Jack Bowers said "There are few pyrotechnics; much of the music is pensive and sedate, and most of it is melodic as well. While this isn’t the sort of disc I’d run out and buy, there are many who would, and to them I would unreservedly recommend it".[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Kahil El'Zabar except where noted

  1. "Conversation; the Introduction" – 8:11
  2. "Big Fred" – 8:20
  3. "Kari" – 8:30
  4. "Whenever I Think of You" (Ari Brown) – 9:27
  5. "Conversations; the Dialogue" – 10:11
  6. "Brother Malcolm" – 8:18
  7. "Revelations" – 7:42

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. https://delmark.com/product/shepp-archie-kahil-el-zabars-ritual-trio-conversations-cd-delmark-514/ Delmark Records: album details
  2. https://www.jazzdisco.org/archie-shepp/catalog/#delmark-de-514 Jazzdisco: Archie Shepp catalog
  3. http://www.jazzlists.com/SJ_Label_Delmark500.htm Jazzlists: Delmark Records discography: 400/500 series
  4. Bowers, J. All About Jazz Review, accessed January 21, 2019