Ibrahim's one of my favorites. He's made a ton of albums, some of them having yet to make it to CD. Camden has recently reissued some of his 70s stuff, much of the notation sadly lacking in detail. A lot of this stuff includes altoist Kippie Koeketsi and tenorist Basil Coetzee, two great players that should be better known. Enja (and it's Tiptoe label) has been the major documenter of Ibrahim's work, including a sprinkling of his 70s albums, with the bulk of their releases covering Ibrahim's last 20 years. As many may know, Ibrahim spent most of his career in exile, during South Africa's apartheid-era. Nonetheless, a lot of his album/song titles have been dedicated to his homeland and there's a certain melancholia to much of his music. Sadly, his first band, the Jazz Epistles (whose legendary line-up included a young Hugh Masekela and Kippie Moeketsi) only recorded one album that is probably difficult to find, but well worth seeking out. Anyway, as for suggestions, I'd start off with any of the newly-reissued (in the US, at least) Camden albums, most of which are larger bands from the 70s. I haven't heard them all, so I can't recommend one in particular. There are also a number of trio albums from the 70s that are excellent. I'll recommend 'Banyana-The Children of Africa' (Enja), a 1976 recording with Cecil McBee and Roy Brooks. Ibrahim made a couple (that I know of) duo albums with bassist Johnny Dyani, who's also South African. Enja reissued a 25th anniversary edition of 'Echoes of Africa' (1979) that is really nice. I just bought 'The Journey,' originally issued on Chiaroscuro in the late 70s and very recently reissued on Downtown Sound. It was recorded live in New York in 1978 and has a great band including Don Cherry, Carlos Ward, Hamiet Bluiett, Johnny Dyani, Roy Brooks, and others. On first listen, a very worthy reissue. 'African Marketplace' (1980, Discovery) is with a 12-piece band and is one of my favorite of his albums. If there were one period to explore, it would be his 1980s albums with his Ekaya band--it's usually a 3 sax line-up, sometimes with trombone. 1986's Water From an Ancient Well (Enja/Tiptoe) is one of their best, as is The Mountain (n/d, Camden). The album titled just Ekaya is great, but good luck finding it (I picked my copy up on tape in Zimbabwe 7 years ago). Altoist Carlos Ward appears on most of these and is a wonderful interpreter of Ibrahim's music. The one time I saw Ibrahim live (in 2000 at the Jazz Bakery) was a beautiful, spiritual experience. One of the most memorable perforamances i've ever seen. jeff caltabiano hollywood, ca n.p. complete uk upsetter singles collection, vol. 3 (trojan)
From: "Matt S" <mbs808@hotmail.com>
as this list's members are properly the most knowledgeable around, I'd like recommendations on some of abdullah ibrahim's work.