ANDREW CYRILLE — Andrew Cyrille / Jeanne Lee / Jimmy Lyons : Nuba (review)

ANDREW CYRILLE — Andrew Cyrille / Jeanne Lee / Jimmy Lyons : Nuba album cover Album · 1979 · Avant-Garde Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
Free jazz, as an example of a cultural component of social protest movements, came among the very first such musical genres and experienced its peak as such during late 50s - early 60s. Upcoming rock music era, which in big part was a product of that very same jazz/blues, exploded much louder and wider with Woodstock and the Sorbonne student's riots in the late 60s, and stayed as a dominate part of Western civilization's counter-culture for decades to come. Free jazz at the late 60s - early 70s silently returned back to where it came from - urban underground culture. As a result, "Woodstock aesthetics" survived as a renown cultural phenomena till now (fortunately, all tries to revitalize it finished unsuccessfully), free jazz aesthetics is now known between a small circle of fans and followers.

"Nuba", recorded by three true masters of the genre, and released in 1979 (a decade too late, I would say), is a great example of that unique atmosphere of the time and place. The unorthodox trio consists of drummer Andrew Cyrille, (who is active till now and is responsible for some best avant-garde jazz albums, released in last few decades), alto saxophonist Jimmy Lyons and possibly the best ever free jazz vocalist Jeanne Lee (both passed away). The album's music is of free form, but contains a lot of tune snippets, and partially works as an accompaniment to Jeanne's poem. There is no leader, all of the musicians are equal collaborators with enough space for each. Cyrille builds aerial minimalistic rhythm constructions, Lyons saxophone is warm and soulful, often recalling the singer's vocals. Lee's singing is excellent - partially wordless, it builds a very spiritual atmosphere on the album of free form and with a lot of free space.

Differently from many more traditional jazz albums coming from the same time, "Nuba" doesn't sound as classic or dated, it is more timeless music from a parallel reality, far not everyone even knows it existed. Those interested to find out what it was, can start right here. Originally released on vinyl in Italy only on Black Saint label, the album has been re-issued on CD in 2009, so it's still possible to find a copy.
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