The Pyramids - 1973 - Lalibela

The Pyramids

1973 

Lalibela

01. Lalibela 22:00

02. Lalibela (cont.) 5:10

03. Indigo 16:45

Idris Ackamoor - (alto & soprano sax, bailophone)

Margo Ackamoor - (flute, piccolo, percussion)

Kwame Kimathi Asante - (bass, ugandan harp, ethiopian drum, bamboo flute)

Masai - (soprano sax, bamboo flute, percussion)

Marcel Lytle - (drums, percussion)

Hekaptah - (congas drums, percussion)

The debut album by the Pyramids was inspired by the group's visit to the Lalibela monastery in Egypt, and was recorded in Yellow Springs, Ohio in early 1973. Drawing on the teachings of Cecil Taylor and the influence of John Coltrane, combined with a barrage of intense percussion, the album evolves over several long-form pieces,

The Pyramids released three albums before splitting up in 1977. Lalibela (1973) was the first album recorded by The Pyramids following their landmark journey throughout Africa as students from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The album is one of the first cutting-edge "concept" albums, as each side of the LP seamlessly flows from one composition to the next in the vein of a suite painting a musical portrait of the African adventure experienced by founding members Idris Ackamoor, Margaux Simmons, and Kimathi Asante. Lalibela, Ethiopia was the inspiration for the album. A journey to experience the 12th-century rock churches of Lalibela by Margaux and Idris closed out their nine-month African odyssey. The personnel for the recording was augmented by new members percussionist Bradie Speller (Hekaptah), drummer Marcel Lytle, and soprano saxophonist Tony Owens (Masai). The album has plenty percussion-driven rhythms, beautiful alto sax and flute melodies, soaring and "out" improvisations, ritualistic chants, meditative tone pieces, high energy modal jams, and exotic African instruments collected during the African trip.

The rhythm section on this album is very relentless and interesting. There are some soaring modal flute/sax unison melodies being played over it as well as some really cool bass riffing and a few tumbling squealing freakouts. Throughout each side the group shows restraint, maintains an ecstatic level of energy and keeps things dynamic. The African percussion instruments compliment the drum kit and propel the album along in a majestic manner. Really great stuff.