LABEL: Gearbox
CAT NO: GB1554OBI
BARCODE: 5060708610326
Tracklisting:
Side A
1. Dreamtime
2. Nisa
3. Jabula
4. Tuang Guru
5. Tonegawa
Side B
1. Song For Sathima
2. ZB2
3. Skippy
4. Devotion
5. The Balance.
ABDULLAH IBRAHIM
(A.K.A. DOLLAR BRAND)
– The Balance
[Official Japanese Edition]
LP – Limited Edition 180g Vinyl
(With Obi Strip)
Abdullah Ibrahim (who has also recorded as Dollar Brand) is one of South Africa’s most famous musicians. His music is often referred to as representing freedom. His major anti-apartheid anthem Mannenberg (released as Capetown Fringe in the US) thas come to be regarded as an unofficial national anthem in South Africa. He even performed at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration, where Mandela referred to him as “our Mozart”. He’s played with everyone from Duke Ellington to Max Roach, John Coltrane to Ornette Coleman, and is the father of underground rapper Jean Grae. Encompassing Township-Jazz, solo piano, Highlife and plentiful modern jazz styles, this brand new studio album (recorded with his band Ekaya at RAK Studios in London,) is a major return for a genuine living Jazz legend.
On The Balance:
“Getting the balance just right has always been Ibrahim’s great strength, drawing from a source but keeping it fresh…” – Julian Cowley, The Wire
“The lead track Jabula is full of gloriously rich sounds, encased in Ibrahim’s impeccably uplifting chord progressions with lush horn lines, and lilting melodies.” – Twisted Soul
“A modern master… his graceful playing leans on equal measures of force and restraint, of dense clusters and open space. Mr. Ibrahim’s music is dotted by satisfying, sometimes stunning, passages of repose.”
– Larry Blumenfeld, Wall Street Journal
At the age of 84, Abdullah Ibrahim (AKA Dollar Brand) releases his first new album in four years. Entitled ‘The Balance’, this project features his long-time septet Ekaya, a line-up that he’s been recording with since 1983. In this case, the album was recorded over the course of one day at London’s RAK Studios last November. The lush horn lines, lilting melodies, and uplifting chord progressions are characteristic of Abdullah’s all-encompassing Township-Jazz. This is contrasted with various solo piano improvisations, which epitomise the nostalgic yet hopeful nature of Abdullah’s musical spirit. Hence, The Balance.
In his own words:
“We push ourselves out of our comfort zones. So that we can present to the listener our striving for excellence. So that we can engage with our listeners without any barriers of our ego. It’s not jazz. For us, it’s a process of transcending barriers.”
Credits:
Abdullah Ibrahim: piano
Featuring Ekaya:
Noah Jackson: double bass (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8), cello (tracks 3, 10)
Alec Dankworth : double bass (tracks 3, 10)
Will Terrill: drums
Adam Glasser: harmonica (track 10)
Cleave Guyton Jr.: alto saxophone (tracks 2, 3, 6), flute (track 1, 10), piccolo (track 4, 8)
Lance Bryant: tenor saxophone
Andrae Murchison: trombone
Marshall McDonald: baritone saxophone