Johnny Dyani - 1979 - Song for Biko

Johnny Dyani

1979

Song for Biko

01. Wish You Sunshine 6:10

02. Song For Biko 4:51

03. Confession Of Moods 8:20

04. Jo'burg - New York 16:29

Johnny Dyani – bass

Dudu Pukwana – alto saxophone

Don Cherry – cornet

Makaya Ntshoko – drums

Recorded July 18th, 1978

Song For Biko is a forgotten avant-garde Jazz classic, in the same company as Prince Lasha and Sonny Simmons' Firebirds. Cornetist Don Cherry may be the only well-known member of the quartet but he's the least interesting. He's the one that will lead people to quickly compare this album to Ornette Coleman's work. The other three musicians are from South Africa and bring a very different approach and sound to the table. It's like hearing guitarist Gabor Szabo for the first time. His combination of Hungarian Folk and Jazz is fascinating. Same thing here. Makaya Ntshoko's drumming is quite busy and very heavy. It gives the album a Rock feel at times. I'm surprised that alto saxophonist Dudu Pukwana's legacy is relatively obscure. He had some serious fire and passion at his command. The 16 minute "Jo'Burg - New York" is the most fascinating song. Everybody shows what they're made of, laying down a truly priceless slice of Jazz. The biggest surprise for me was bassist Johnny Dyani. He doesn't sit back and act content to play some boring walking bass line. He smacks the hell out of his bass. He makes it talk to you and you really get the impression that you are listening to his very core. If I hear more of his work I just might start calling him my favorite bassist period. He's THAT good. You could compare him to Cecil McBee and Richard Davis. He travels in those regions of emotive force.

Bassist Johnny Dyani had a large tone and a relaxed yet authoritative style. On this classic SteepleChase release he teams up with two other South African expatriates (altoist Dudu Pukwana and drummer Makay Ntshoko) plus cornetist Don Cherry for music that is haunting, emotional, somewhat adventurous, yet also melodic. While "Song for Biko" is the most memorable piece, all five of Dyani's originals (including the 16-and-a-half-minute "Jo'burg-New York") are special. The music combines together Dyani's South African folk heritage with Ornette Coleman's free bop and elements of avant-garde jazz. Highly recommended.