HWright Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 (edited) One old album that I've always been curious about is Grachan Moncur's "New Africa" (1969). I see that it can be special-ordered as an import (French?). I wonder if anyone who has the album (either as LP or CD) would care to comment on the session. How does it compare to Moncur's other work? To Moncur's work with Archie Shepp? Also, I understand that there is a second Moncur session the most recent CD reissue and any comments on it would be welcome also ( "Aco dei de Madrugada"). Is this material of Moncur's work worth going out of one's way to pick up? Is it really pick-up-able on CD anyway? Or only as an LP? Thanks. Edited March 9, 2004 by HWright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Wood Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 Both sessions are available on cd through Dusty Groove (the bastards!). I like New Africa a lot -- a cross between Moncur's music from Blue Note and the music that BYG typified in the late 60's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 Another yes for 'New Africa'. Interesting session that has Roscoe Mitchell and Archie Shepp (on one number) plus a rhythm section of Dave Burrell, Alan Silva and Andrew Cyrille. Excellent! Not overly fond of Moncur's other date for Byg. Have not listened to that one in a very long time and don't feel the need to dig that one up for reappraisal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claude Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 (edited) "New aFrica" is a great session. I got it on LP recently, a 2002 pressing from the italian Get Back label, licensed from Charly. The sound is very bad, I think it has been dubbed from vinyl. I've also seen a CD with the two Moncur BYG session together. Edited March 9, 2004 by Claude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphie_boy Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 Both sessions are available on cd through Dusty Groove (the bastards!). I like New Africa a lot -- a cross between Moncur's music from Blue Note and the music that BYG typified in the late 60's. Yeah, that's exactly how I'd describe it. I dig that session. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWright Posted March 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 Thanks very much. Based on the positive recommendations for "New Africa," I've decided to check this out. I was able to find a used copy on amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWright Posted March 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 An update: I got my copy of the Grachan Moncur CD in the mail. Having listened to it a few times, I can say that I like it. Moncur does some great soloing on the "New Africa" suite and the rhythm section of Burrell/Silva/Cyrille is dynamite. Rosco Mitchell on reeds sounds a little less "out" than on his own albums of the period. The second date is a little less interesting, but Moncur gets in some good playing there too. For those who can't get hold of this fairly rare disc, Archie Shepp's "The Way Ahead" CD ** is worth checking out. Moncur plays on the whole album and Shepp uses two of Moncur's compositions, "Frankenstein" (the Moncur tune done by Jackie McLean on "One Step Beyond") and "New Africa," which is presumably a version of the first movement of the suite heard on Moncur's own album. **= the "Way Ahead" CD contains bonus tracks from Archie Shepp's "Kwanza" album which has not otherwise been re-released, as far as I know. "Kwanza," based on what the AMG says, came out in 1974 and may be an out-take album. Not having heard its entire contents, I'm not sure what to make of their comment: "Important document musically and for people who need information about the traditional African Holy Week." Anyone know where the other tracks came from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 **= the "Way Ahead" CD contains bonus tracks from Archie Shepp's "Kwanza" album which has not otherwise been re-released, as far as I know. "Kwanza," based on what the AMG says, came out in 1974 and may be an out-take album. Not having heard its entire contents, I'm not sure what to make of their comment: "Important document musically and for people who need information about the traditional African Holy Week." Anyone know where the other tracks came from? 'Kwanza' was indeed released in 1974. Tracks listing: side 1, Back Back Spoo Pee Doo New Africa side 2, Slow Drag Bakai The tunes were recorded at various sessions in September 1968, February and August 1969. What are the bonus tracks you mention? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 The CD issue of The Way Ahead includes "New Africa" and "Bakai." Seeing as how they probably won't reissue Kwanzaa, it's probably the only way to get those two tracks on disc. The version of "New Africa" is particularly nice. I looove The Way Ahead. I'll second the lackluster material on Madrugada, though I do like the first song a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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