mfs@mhuxr.UUCP (Damballah Wedo) (10/12/85)
Subject: Abdullah Ibrahim and Ekaya live at Sweet Basil
Newsgroups: net.music
Distribution: net
[I find it impossible to write objectively about Ekaya so if this sounds like
the ravings of a rabid fan, well... they are]
When is a gig successful? When waiters and waitresses stop hustling drinks
and stand in the aisles, gently swaying to the beat? When an entire room
starts clapping rhythmically to the music? When complete strangers (New Yorkers
to boot) start smiling at each other?
Having all of these ensured that Ekaya's Friday, October 11 show achieved
immortality. As well it should be. These seven men played magical music,
that took a hold of listeners and forced them to surrender. Ibrahim's
compositions have the peculiar ability to be stately and full of energy
at the same time. The most swinging romps sound measured, dancing to an
inner rhythm, that of life itself.
The tunes sound like simple vamps, hypnotic riffs for the band to state
while a soloist soars. But vamps repeated over an entire evening get boring.
Ekaya sounds as fresh at 3:00 AM as at 9:30. Everyone in this band obviously
believes in this music and it shows. The band is also perfectly balanced:
the brash enthusiasm of Carlos Ward (alto and flute) and Ricky ford (tenor)
vs the dignified reserve of Dick Griffin (trombone) and Charles Davis
(baritone.) The understated, yet insistentdrumming of Ben Riley is also
perfect for this music. He knows when to kick,but also knows that it is
impossible not to swing with this music, so it's better to incite gently.
The results were stunning: Ricky Ford was stupendous, playing logical,
but emotional solos, twisting, pouring of himself into the horn. Dick
Griffin extracted deep growls, metallic moans and greasy slurs from the
'bone. Riley's solo was masterful, shifting the beat continuously, but
always staying in time.
The music played by Ekaya shares with the blues the quality of bettering
life by transcending it. One walks out of an Ekaya gig feeling at peace
with oneself and with the world without. This music sets the listener
free.
P.S. Special congratulations must go to Phyllis Weisbart, Mel Litoff
and Horst Liepolt, who own and run Sweet Basil, for giving this music
the love and respect it deserves, by demanding (and *enforcing*) complete
silence during the performance. As Abdullah says, "they run Sweet Basil
the way a jazz club should be run," no small praise indeed.
P.P.S Ekaya will be at Sweet Basil until Sunday, October 20 (except for
Monday, Oct 14.) I strongly urge everyone who can to attend at least
one set. You will not be disappointed. Sweet Basil is at 7th Ave South
just north of Bleecker St.
--
Marcel-Franck Simon ihnp4!{mhuxr, hl3b5b}!mfs
" Papa Loko, ou se' van, ou-a pouse'-n alle'
Nou se' papiyon, n-a pote' nouvel bay Agwe' "