M'Bizo explained

M'Bizo
Type:studio
Artist:World Saxophone Quartet
Cover:M'Bizo.jpg
Released:1999
Recorded:November 10, 1997–June 18, 1998
Genre:Jazz
Length:49:17
Label:Justin Time
Producer:David Murray
Prev Year:1998
Next Title:Requiem for Julius
Next Year:2000

M'Bizo is an album by American jazz group the World Saxophone Quartet released by the Canadian Justin Time label. The album features performances by Hamiet Bluiett, John Purcell, Oliver Lake and David Murray, with guests Ronnie Burrage on drums, Mario Canonge and D. D. Jackson on pianos, Mabeleng Moholo on musical bow, Jimane Nelson on organ, and James Lewis and Jaribu Shahid on basses.[1]

Reception

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars, stating, "The singers and percussionists add to the party atmosphere which even when remembering the dark days of apartheid, sounds quite hopeful and optimistic. Well worth exploring."[2]

The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings wrote that the album "is the fruit of a trip to South Africa and some very happy musical associations created there," and noted that it is dedicated to Johnny Dyani. They commented: "The three-part 'M'Bizo Suite' occupies the bulk of the record, though the opening 'Snanapo'... and 'Matsidiso'... are both powerful works."

In a review for All About Jazz, Derrick A. Smith stated: "with M'Bizo, it's as if the WSQ and their South African guests internalized the notions of Unity to the point of complete unity of performance. The entire album, true to jazz and to African music, moves like a conversive dance."[3]

John Murph, writing for Jazz Times, commented: "M'Bizo manages to successfully absorb the multilayers of musical ideas without succumbing to pretensions... It almost goes without saying that all members of the quartet unleash wicked solos and soulful cacophony, but in recent times the funk began to stale, M'Bizo offers a different and potent stank."[4]

Track listing

All compositions by David Murray.

  1. "Snanapo" - 12:21
  2. "M'Bizo Suite: Africa-Europe-Asia" - 7:59
  3. "M'Bizo Suite: Sizelapha" - 2:56
  4. "M'Bizo Suite: M'Bizo" - 12:37
  5. "Matsidiso" - 13:24

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. http://www.justin-time.com/works/JUST_123-2/ Justin Time catalogue
  2. Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed September 9, 2011
  3. Web site: World Saxophone Quartet: M'Bizo . Derrick A. . Smith . September 1, 1999 . All About Jazz . April 7, 2022.
  4. Web site: World Saxophone Quartet: M'Bizo . John . Murph . October 1, 1999 . Jazz Times . April 7, 2022.