The Magic of Ju-Ju explained

The Magic of Ju-Ju
Type:studio
Artist:Archie Shepp
Cover:The Magic of Ju-Ju.jpg
Released:May 1968[1]
Recorded:April 26, 1967
Studio:Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Genre:Jazz
Label:Impulse!
Producer:Bob Thiele
Prev Title:Mama Too Tight
Prev Year:1967
Next Title:The Way Ahead
Next Year:1968

The Magic of Ju-Ju is an album by Archie Shepp released on Impulse! Records in May 1968. The album contains tracks recorded by Shepp, trumpeter Martin Banks, trombonist Mike Zwerin, bassist Reggie Workman and percussionists Norman Connors, Frank Charles, Dennis Charles, Ed Blackwell and Beaver Harris in April 1967.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Al Campbell states of the title track "Shepp's emotional and fiery tenor takes off immediately, gradually morphing with the five percussionists 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".[2]

Track listing

  1. "The Magic of Ju-Ju" - 18:37
  2. "You're What This Day Is All About" - 1:51
  3. "Shazam!" - 4:43
  4. "Sorry 'Bout That" - 10:07

All compositions by Archie Shepp

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Billboard. June 1, 1968.
  2. Campbell, A. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r147459|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic Review] accessed April 7, 2009.