Ethnic Heritage Ensemble – “Continuum, the” – [Delmark]

domitype   1/19/2009   CD, Jazz

The following statement is not true, but what I heard when I first listen to this recording: The Art Ensemble of Chicago was on a world tour, stopped in deepest Africa. Somehow they lost a trombone & sax after the concert and the locals got hold of them – creating a new tradition – honk & squirt horns with roots talking drum and percussion.

Actually, the EHE has been around Chicago for a long time blending African music with jazz. In this current form the personnel has almost totally changed, but the spirit is still strong. There is a authentic, tropical, hot feel to this recording – very much in keeping with the tradition.

Trombonist Bowie (no relation to Lester, I think) is also leader of Defunkt, worth a listen.

Dave Richoux