Louis Moholo - Spiritual Knowledge And Grace

Artist:  Louis Moholo, Dudu Pukwana, Johnny Dyani, Frank Wright
Album: Spiritual Knowledge And Grace
Genre: Free Jazz
Labe: Ogun  2004
Recording Date: 1979


Accidents are part and parcel of any kind of improvised music. Such occurrences can be fickle things with a capacity to make or break a situation. So, when Chris McGregor was prevented from joining the first night of a Dutch tour by The Blue Notes in 1979, Louis Moholo-Moholo, Dudu Pukwana and Johnny Dyani embraced the accidental non-appearance of their pianist colleague and took to the stage.

Another accident, though admittedly much happier one, was the presence of tenor saxophonist, Frank Wright, who happened to be in Eindhoven on the same night and available to join the trio for a blow. Wright, who'd enjoyed stints with Albert Ayler, Cecil Taylor and others, adds his own tumultuous character to a music already overflowing with celebratory, angularly expressive workouts as well as surprisingly tender, modal contemplations.

Here, two 30-plus minute improvisations chart a series of heaving peaks and troughs into which ideas, lines and playful episodes are pitched and tossed with complete abandon. Some good-natured traditional South African grooves dominate the end of the first collective jam, "Ancient Fire," whilst Dyani's mesmeric piano-led motifs usher in an explosive "Contemporary Fire." Dense, ebullient and tempestuous throughout, the near-telepathic, lightning-fast exchanges between these truly remarkable musicians is a marvel. By SID SMITH

Alto Saxophone, Piano, Whistle, Voice – Dudu Pukwana
Double Bass, Piano, Voice – Johnny Dyani
Drums, Voice – Louis Moholo-Moholo
Tenor Saxophone, Double Bass, Voice – Frank Wright

1 Ancient Spirit     31:59   
2 Contemporary Fire     36:59
Recorded live in Eindhoven, Holland on 22 June 1979

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