Archie Shepp & The New York Contemporary Five (1964/2018) [DSD128 + Hi-Res FLAC]

This historically significant album by the New York Contemporary Five was lead by tenor saxophone player Archi Shepp and included four other equally talented free jazz musicians to create an album that highlights the virtuosic nature of jazz music. Although a short-lived group, this album is quite historic for many contemporary jazz musicians.

On this record is heard a new American jazz group. Certainly one of the most important in recent years and yet one with which the American jazz public has had almost no opportunity of getting acquainted. It was formed with a special view to an engagement in Copenhagen, as no club in New York would, in 1963, be interested in sustaining a group like this during its formative period. Also, its first recordings were made during that stay in Copenhagen, as almost no American record companies could, in 1963, be persuaded to invest in music of this kind. We are thus facing a situation unknown in the history of jazz up till now, a situation where important develop- ments take place outside of the United States. In par- ticular, the Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen seems to be out to becoming something like the Minton’s Play House of the ‘sixties. This club also had the Cecil Taylor Trio in residence for a whole month in late 1962, during which period Taylor made what were at the time of writ- ing his only known records in more than two years.

This historically significant LP has six selections recorded by the New York Contemporary Five on November 11, 1963. The short-lived group, which consists of cornetist Don Cherry, altoist John Tchicai, Archie Shepp on tenor, bassist Don Moore, and drummer J.C. Moses, was avant-garde for the period, influenced most by Ornette Coleman's Quartet; the participation of Coleman's cornetist certainly helped. However, Tchicai (although sometimes hinting at Coleman) had a different approach than Coleman, and it was obvious that Shepp had already developed his own original voice and was the group's most passionate soloist. Together this very interesting quintet (which would soon break up) performs pieces by Coleman, Thelonious Monk (there's a short melodic renditions of "Crepescule with Nellie"), Bill Dixon, Tchicai, Shepp, and Cherry.

Tracklist:

01 - Cusim
02 - Crepuscule With Nellie
03 - O.C.
04 - When Will the Blues Leave
05 - The Funeral
06 - Mick

Produced by Robert G. Koester.
Recorded on November 15, 1963 at Jazzhus Montmartre, Copenhagen.

Musicians:
Archie Shepp: tenor saxophone
John Tchicai: alto saxophone
Don Cherry: trumpet
Don Moore: bass
J. C. Moses: drums

2xHD Mastering: René Laflamme
2xHD Executive Producer: André Perry


Thanks to the Original customer!