Dollar Brand Trio. Dollar Brand Plays The Spheres.

The Dollar Brand Trio* ‎– Dollar Brand Plays Sphere Jazz
Label: Honey Pie Records ‎– HONEY008
Released: 2020, Originally Recorded on February 4th, 1960
Genre: Jazz
Style: Bop, Cape Jazz

Chris Baber

…”There is a lovely quote from Ellington to Ibrahim when they met, “You’re blessed because you come from the source” (reflecting Ellington’s fascination with African rhythms and music).
​
If the ‘Plays Sphere Jazz’ has a sense of exploring the world of contemporary bebop, the Jazz Epistles CD, with the additional players, has a feeling of looking back. The playing recreates some of the big band playing of the 1950s, albeit in a sextet. In this setting, Ibrahim’s piano playing carries much more of the Ellington lightness and commitment to melody (I was continually reminded of Ellington’s solo piano playing). However, what you also get from these recordings is the way in which South African music was forging its own sense of jazz and the individual style that Ibrahim was developing before he moved to Europe. The playing of all the musicians on both of these sets, shows them in full mastery of their instruments and ready to take the jazz world by storm. “

Review By Chris Baber



Tracklist

A1 Boulevard East Written-By – Brand*6:45
A2 Khumbula Jane Written-By – Davashe* 5:55
A3 King Kong Written-By – Matshikiza* 5:22
B1 Blues For B. Written-By – Brand* 3:24
B2 Misterioso Written-By – Monk* 4:37
B3 Just You, Just MeWritten-By – Green* 4:55

B4 Eclipse At Dawn Written-By – Brand* 4:00

Credits

Bass – Johnny Gertze
Drums – Makaya Ntshoko
Ensemble – The Dollar Brand Trio*
Liner Notes – Mike M. Phahlane
Piano – Dollar Brand