Instrumental, English vocals, other languages
International relevance: ***
Turkish born drummer Okay Temiz is a true legend to me, partly for his involvement with the amazing
Maffy Falay-led Sevda, and partly for his own ensemble Oriental Wind
which like Sevda took the Turkish musical traditions into jazzy
territories with great grandeur. But he also collaborated with other
musicians as these three albums prove.
The twin volumes of
”Music For Xaba” were recorded one evening in November 1972 at
Theatre 9 in Stockholm, with South African pianist/bassist Johnny
Dyani as leader. Mongezi Feza was also of South African descendance,
and a trumpet player who made his mark on Swedish music with Bernt
Rosengren among others.
I'm not too fond of the ”Xaba” releases. The trio uses a lot of force to drive the music forward but it's as if there's something keeping the musicians apart despite the best of intentions. The best moments occur on the second volume, in Feza composition ”Mad High” and Dyani's ”Witchdoctor's Son”. I've heard these albums a fair bit over the years, but they still don't make real sense to me.
”Rejoice” is
recorded less than two weeks before ”Music For Xaba” at The
Modern Museum of Art in Stockholm (and not released until 1988). The
sound is a tad lesser here but it's a superior date, with the three
musicians connecting much better, creating a flow and an intensity
lacking from the other releases. ”Mad High” makes another
appearance here, as do ”Makaya Makaya Makaya”, and even though
the former was a high point on ”Xaba”, this one tops it.
”Rejoice” demonstrates what this
trio was capable of, ”Music For Xaba” that these guys also had
lesser nights.
Music For Xaba Vol. 1 full album playlist
Music For Xaba Vol. 2 full album playlist
Rejoice full album
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