Conversations brings Archie Shepp to a unique, if not rare, studio
session with Kahil El' Zabar's Ritual Trio. An exceptional but
logical musical collaboration bringing together two creative voices
representing unique innovations in American music--Shepp of the
New York music revolution of the 1960's and Kahil El' Zabar's
trio representing the music force generated from Chicago's avant-garde,
the AACM. Conversations is a tribute to bassist Fred Hopkins
who performed with Henry Threadgill's trio Air --another
group with its roots in Chicago's avant-garde.
Conversations takes musical turns from a spiritual dialogue
on the title cut, to the blues chant on Big Fred, to the
in-the-groove cruising of Kari. On its own
the Ritual Trio is a versatile and inventive unit with saxophonist
Ari Brown moving easily from reeds to piano and Malachi Favors
( who also performs with the Art Ensemble of Chicago), melodically
probing the rhythms of Kahil El' Zabars percussion. As a setting
for Archie Shepp, is a profoundly musical and spiritual space.
Personnel: Archie Shepp, tenor sax, piano;
Ari Brown, piano, tenor sax; Malachi Favors, bass; Kahil El' Zabar,
drums.