----- Original Message ----- Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 17:53:03 -0500 From: "Matt S" <mbs808@hotmail.com> Subject: off topic - abdullah ibrahim as this list's members are properly the most knowledgeable around, I'd like recommendations on some of abdullah ibrahim's work. Thanks! =============================== Matt, I have a lot of his disks, and most of them are good, but the following are the ones I play most often : "Zimbabwe" "Water From and Ancient Well" "South Africa" "Yarona" The first of these is a mis of ensemble and solo performances from the early '80's that gives you both some intense, ecstatic playing and and some very contemplative playing. This was my introduction to Ibrahim and I can't think of a better on. "Water" is full of beautiful ensemble work, but it's less intense. "South Africa" is a lively live set from Montreux in the '80's with some great playing from Carlos Ward. "Yarona" is a very stately trio date from '95. I'm also very fond of "The Journey," a mid-70's set with a large ensemble of major avant garde players from the era. This does not have the same sound as the later or the earlier music, but an interesting and by turns hipnotic and noisy chapter in Ibrahim's career. I also think the recent "African Magic" is fantastic. Another trio date, but this one in more of South African groove than the more reserved feeling of "Yarona." Louis Schwartz