Good News from Africa

by Dollar Brand, Dollar Brand Duo

Overview

The extraordinary South African pianist meets his countryman, the late, very great bassist Johnny Dyani, and the result is one of the single most beautiful recordings of the '70s. The duo mix in traditional African and Islamic songs and perform with a fervor and depth of feeling rarely heard in or outside of jazz. From the opening traditional Xhosa song, "Ntsikana's Bell," the rich, sonorous approach of these two musicians is evident, both singing in stirring fashion, Ibrahim guttural and serious, Dyani as free and light as a swallow. Ibrahim treats the listener to some of his all-too-rarely heard flute work on the following track, using Kirk-ian techniques of sung overtones in a gorgeous original. Dyani's bass playing is simply astonishing, never indulging in mere virtuosic displays but always probing, always deep -- what Mingus might have sounded like had he been born in South Africa. His whipsaw arco work on "Good News" provides an incredibly roiling yet solid framework for some inspired piano from Ibrahim. The Islamic prayer-song "Adhan/Allah-O-Akbar" is sung with such heartfelt intensity so as to melt the heart of the unbeliever and lay waste to countless quasi-spiritual attempts by lesser talents. The final two pieces are a fascinating pair. "The Pilgrim" is an Ibrahim special, based on a slow, irresistible loping groove, one that reaches its end lingering for a second or two before repeating, on and on like a luxurious desert caravan. The musicians embroider it exquisitely before reluctantly letting it go on its way after ten minutes. The next composition, Ibrahim's "Moniebah," begins in a stately manner, proceeding along for a minute or two until, as if drawn in by its ineluctable gravity, they return to "The Pilgrim," unable to resist its pull. It's an amazing, joyful moment that sends chills down one's spine. Good News From Africa was the shining, transcendent release by both of these great musicians and one that should grace every listener's collection. ~ Brian Olewnick

Product Details

Release Date:	09/06/2024
Label:	Enja Records
UPC:	0767522204810
Rank:	119821

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dollar Brand   Primary Artist,Flute,Piano,Vocals
Dollar Brand Duo   Primary Artist
Abdullah Ibrahim   Primary Artist,Flute,Piano,Vocals,Sax (Soprano),Featured Artist
Johnny Dyani   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Bass,Bells,Vocals,Bass (Upright)
Robin Eubanks   Guest Artist,Trombone
Billy Higgins   Guest Artist,Guimbri,Drums
Craig Handy   Guest Artist,Flute,Sax (Tenor)
Buster Williams   Guest Artist,Bass
Carlos Ward   Guest Artist,Flute,Sax (Alto)
Roy Brooks   Guest Artist,Drums
John Betsch   Drums
Essiet Okon Ossiet   Bass
John Stubblefield   Flute,Sax (Tenor)
Howard Johnson   Tuba,Trumpet,Sax (Baritone)
Ricky Ford   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
Cecil McBee   Bass
Don Mumford   Drums
Benny Powell   Trombone
Brian Adams   Drums
David Williams   Bass
Johnny Byani   Vocals,Bells,Bass
Horace Alexander Young   Piccolo,Sax (Alto),Sax (Soprano)

Technical Credits

Kurt Rapp   Engineer,Audio Engineer
Horst Weber   Producer,Audio Production
Sam Williams   Composer
Martin Wieland   Engineer,Audio Engineer
Abdullah Ibrahim   Composer
Beat Burri   Audio Production
Phoebe Ferguson   Cover Photo
Traditional   Composer
Lisa Schubert   Cover Design