HORACE TAPSCOTT / PAN AFRIKAN PEOPLES ARKESTRA — The Giant Is Awakened (review)

HORACE TAPSCOTT / PAN AFRIKAN PEOPLES ARKESTRA — The Giant Is Awakened album cover Album · 1969 · Avant-Garde Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
snobb
Texas-born pianist Horace Tapscott released this his debut as leader being 35. Based in LA from late 50s, he was active on local musical scene and as black community leader as well. Quintet with two bassists and young Arthur Blythe on alto(Blythe first ever recording) plays excellent soulful "spiritual jazz" in a fashion of the day.

Four improvs (them all are so tuneful and well-structured it's difficult to believe there wasn't pre-composed material used at all)with lively piano,groovy rhythm section and bluesy sax. Tapscott demonstrates advanced techniques and by its inspired sound this album could be easily placed at the same level with similar Archie Shepp or even John Coltrane albums of "spiritual jazz".Album's opener, 17-minutes long "The Giant Is Awakened" is one among greatest composition coming from that time and genre.

Unfortunately,albums title haven't been fulfilled - probably LA,being world center of music business wasn't great place for free jazz. Tapscott recorded some more albums with known and local artists, series of very average solo piano releases and in fact almost till his last days stayed known mostly in local scene.

He always had some great tunes and interesting recorded moments,but almost every his album contains some fillers and badly edited material. Released live recordings are as rule too long and need serious editing as well.(Almost two-hours long posthumous "Lighthouse Sessions" would be really much better if released as 45-minutes long CD using best concert's material instead of releasing of whole recorded gig,etc)

The only exemption is Tapscott's "Thoughts Of Dar Es Salaam"(with drummer Billy Hart and bassist Ray Drummond), released two years before him passing away in 1999 . Together with "The Giant Is Awakened",these his two best albums are beginning and the end of great artist who's best music is dated well and still sounds modern and interesting.
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