One of the most intriguing and original jazz instrumentalists, Yusef Lateef strives to break down the walls that separate (or compartmentalize) musical idioms. This said, THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EPIC SUITE is congruent with the notion that music is a combination of the world's many so-called "styles." On this early-'90s release, Lateef seeks to show through musical composition the history of African Americans.
Composed in four movements called "The African as Non-American," "Transmutation," "Love for All," and "Freedom," Lateef uses an almost literary technique to outline the plight, woe, and jubilation of Black Americans. The suite opens with soft, jungle-like rumblings and essentially progresses and evolves through many stages of change. In the end, we hear oppression turn to love then to enlightenment then to liberty. Performing with the Cologne Radio Orchestra of Germany and Eternal Wind (Ralph Jones, Federico Ramos, Adam Rudolph, Charles Moore) this album boldly attempts to bring to life the struggles and joys of Black America through rich orchestration, ominous percussive effects, and Lateef's inimitable reed work.
“The African-American Epic Suite… lines up with the most ambitious orchestrated / improvised works of Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman and John Carter.”
– Greg Burk, LA Weekly
Eternal Wind:
Adam Rudolph – Hand Drums and Percussion
Ralph Jones – Tenor and Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Hichiriki, Bass Clarinet, Bamboo Flutes
Federico Ramos – Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Gimbre
Charles Moore – Flugelhorn, Shofar, Dumbek, Conch Shells
Cologne Radio Orchestra - directed by David de Villiers
Yusef Lateef was a Grammy Award-winning composer, performer, recording artist, author, visual artist, educator and
philosopher who was a major force on the international musical scene for more than six decades.
He was named an American Jazz Master in the year 2010 by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Until his passing on December 23, 2013 at age 93, Yusef remained a vital and active artist....more
supported by 4 fans who also own “The African American Epic Suite”
I was brought here after listening to a live performance of Makaya's on you tube. I instantly loved the song Holy Lands so much that I had to see if the album version was the same rendition as the live one. Then I listened to the whole album! Universal Beings is a just a groove... It's a mix of traditional and something new, very nice. pandr1900
With a stylish, fold-out image by science-fiction artist Franco Brambilla on the album cover, we are introduced to the world of Zubatto Syndicate – at once quaint, modern, post-modern, and otherworldly. Pastel-toned robots from the future have arrived in 1961, and they are ready to hang out by the lake. The retro-futurist aesthetic of the … Continue reading Album of the Week: Zubatto Syndicate → Bandcamp Album of the Day Dec 12, 2011
Former member of Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 unveils a rich, swinging new record that pulls from jazz and soul in its high-wattage songs. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 24, 2024