The Squid's Ear Magazine


Moholo-Moholo, Louis: Viva La Blac (Ogun)

South African drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo's 2nd album as a leader with his sextet Viva La Black, newly remastered and including two extra tracks from the original LP, issued for the first time on CD drawing out their unique approach to British jazz through compositions from Keith Tippett, Chris McGregor, Tristan Honsinger, Mongezi Feza, Harry Miller, and Moholo-Moholo himself.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Louis Moholo-Moholo-drums, vocals

Claude Deppa-trumpet, flugelhorn

Steve Williamson-tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone

Sean Bergin-tenor saxophone, alto saxophone

Roberto Bellatalla-bass

Thebe Lipere-percussion, congas, drums


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UPC: 5020675000445

Label: Ogun
Catalog ID: OGCD049
Squidco Product Code: 35203

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2024
Country: UK
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold 3 Panels
Recorded at Redan Studios, in London, UK, on January 27th, 1988, by Roger Wake.
Originally issued in 1988 as a vinyl LP on the Ogun label with catalog code OG 533.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Great to have this album available on CD for the first time, presented in beautifully pristine packaging the music has been lovingly remastered from the original tapes, and comes with the added bonus of two previously unissued tracks.

Adopting a mantle similar to that of fellow drummer Art Blakey, Moholo-Moholo encouraged the emerging young players of the day, giving them experience and the opportunity to play in a variety of different settings. Thebe Lipere and Claude Deppa were already gaining significant reputations playing with Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath, and saxophonist Steve Williamson was making waves prior to his major label debut with Verve who released A Waltz for Grace in 1990.

The music has a wide variety of textures and the sonic palette is also given plenty of scope for exploration within the frontline ensemble. The combination of Bellatalla's double bass and the drums/percussion axis of Moholo-Moholo and Lipere can be a powerful configuration yet the balance is beautifully maintained between propulsive and all out rhythmic freedom.

The material too is greatly varied and after the excitement of 'Tristan's Line' with its scintillating tenor and drum duet there is the catchy theme by Chris McGregor in 'Joyful Noises' before Bergin's alto kicks off the solos over a bass ostinato. Keith Tippett's 'Mongezi-Frames Part One' is another superb choice, and the band get nicely fired up with Lipere's percussion driving the music along giving impetus to some fine solos.

Next up is a much needed change of pace with 'Lost Opportunities' composed by Harry Miller. A plaintive ballad with a gentle theme and the solos gradually emerging out of the ensemble. This is Deppa's moment to shine in a gloriously controlled solo with a trumpet sound that harks back to past masters and an equally impressive solo from Williamson on soprano.

Mongezi Feza's composition 'Mad High' takes its thematic cue from Ornette while 'Woza' by Moholo-Moholo takes a look back deep into the music and African heritage in a quietly passionate piece, that is utterly hypnotic and compelling. An alternate take of 'Mongezi-Frames Part One' yields a very different performance from the originally issued version.

This is not a reissue that should be regarded as document of the past, but a reminder of the vitality of the music from the African continent and the musicians that chose to settle in the UK, and how this has contributed to the heady mixture that is the jazz of today."-Nick Lea, JazzViews


Get additional information at Jazz Views

Artist Biographies

"Louis Tebogo Moholo (born 10 March 1940), is a South African jazz drummer.

Born in Cape Town, Moholo formed The Blue Notes with Chris McGregor, Johnny Dyani, Nikele Moyake, Mongezi Feza and Dudu Pukwana, and emigrated to Europe with them in 1964, eventually settling in London, where he formed part of a South African exile community that made an important contribution to British jazz. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Breath, a big band comprising several South African exiles and leading musicians of the British free jazz scene in the 1970s and is the founder of Viva la Black and The Dedication Orchestra. His first album under his own name, Spirits Rejoice on Ogun Records, is considered a classic example of the combination of British and South African players. In the early 1970s, Moholo was also a member of the afro-rock band Assagai.

He has played with many musicians, including Derek Bailey, Steve Lacy, Evan Parker, Enrico Rava, Roswell Rudd, Irène Schweizer, Cecil Taylor, John Tchicai, Archie Shepp, Peter Brötzmann, Mike Osborne, Keith Tippett, Elton Dean and Harry Miller.

Moholo returned to South Africa in September 2005, performing with George Lewis at the UNYAZI Festival of Electronic Music in Johannesburg. He now goes under the name Louis Moholo-Moholo because the name is more ethnically authentic. South African promoter Slow Life in March 2017 at the Olympia Bakery in Kalk Bay, Cape Town produced a show where Louis performed along with Mark Fransman, Reza Khota, Keenan Ahrends and Brydon Bolton."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Moholo)
10/2/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Claude Deppa (born 10 May 1958) is a South African jazz trumpeter born in Cape Town, South Africa, probably best known for his work with the Brotherhood of Breath and Carla Bley.

Claude Deppa was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and moved with his family to England in 1974. Having learned drums as a child, he focused on trumpet and the flugahorn when at secondary school in the UK.

Deppa began his professional career as a member of Dave HoldsworthÕs quartet and also played with a band led by Johnny Mbizo Dyani. He was a founding member of the Jazz Warriors in London. He joined Grand Union Orchestra in 1984 and has been a prominent member of the group led by Tony Haynes for over 30 years.

Deppa has played and recorded with a wide variety of international jazz talent, including Art Blakey, Carla BleyÕs big band, Chris McGregorÕs Brotherhood Of Breath, Miriam Makeba, Louis Moholo, Evan Parker, Courtney PineÕs Jazz Warriors, and Andy SheppardÕs Big Co-Motion.

As bandleader, Deppa has performed with, directed and composed for African Jazz Explosion, Horns Unlimited and Five Funky Fellas. Together with saxophonist Clare Hirst, Deppa performs and composes for the Deppa Hirst Band, who have appeared live at jazz festivals in Marlborough, Ipswich and Swanage.

He leads the brass and woodwind section of Kinetica Bloco, a project that celebrates the music of the African diaspora with themed summer schools and performances."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Deppa)
10/2/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Steve Williamson (born 28 June 1964) is an English saxophonist and composer (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, keyboard and composition). He has been called "one of the most distinctive saxophone voices in contemporary British jazz".

Born in London, England, to Jamaican parents, Williamson began playing saxophone at the age of 16 and started his career playing in reggae bands, including Misty in Roots.

In 1984 and 1985 he studied at London's Guildhall School of Music, where he was tutored by Lionel Grigson. Williamson was a member of the noted collective of British-born black jazz musicians who came together as the Jazz Warriors in the mid-1980s.

At the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday open-air festival in 1988, Williamson played alongside Courtney Pine in Wembley Stadium, and afterwards was a constant presence at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. He was member of Louis Moholo's Viva La Black (1988) and of Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath (1990). During the 1990s he led his own band and appeared in projects of Iain Ballamy, Maceo Parker, Bheki Mseleku, US3, and Graham Haynes.

In 1990, Williamson released his first album A Waltz for Grace with Verve, featuring vocalist Abbey Lincoln. In 1992, he released his second album, Rhyme Time, followed by Journey to Truth in 1994, featuring Cassandra Wilson."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Williamson)
10/2/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Sean Bergin (29 June 1948 - 1 September 2012) was an avant-garde jazz saxophonist and flautist from South Africa.

Bergin was born in Durban on 29 June 1948. He was a saxophonist, flautist, composer, educator and bandleader. In his youth Bergin was influenced by the rich South African jazz. During apartheid, he performed illegally with black musicians. He is one of the expatriates of South African jazz to find success elsewhere. From 1976 he lived in Amsterdam. In addition to his M.O.B. ("My Own Band") project, Bergin was active in Trio San Francisco (a saxophone trio with Tobias Delius and Daniele D'Agaro), the Bug Band (with Paul Stocker), and in several Tristan Honsinger formations. He worked with Mal Waldron, Louis Moholo, Ernst Reijseger, Boi Akih, and Miriam Makeba. He won the VPRO/Boy Edgar Award in 2000."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Bergin)
10/2/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Roberto Bellatalla is an Italian jazz bassist, known for the groups Biggi Vinkeloe Band, Canto Generàl, Dinamitri Jazz Folklore, Dreamtime, Elton Dean's Newsense, Double Dreamtime, Fonolite Group, Gaetano Liguori Collective Orchestra, Jazz Afrika, John Law Quartet, Ken Hyder's Big Team, Laboratorio Della Quercia, Louis Moholo-Moholo Septet, Louis Moholo's Viva La Black, Muzic Circo, Paul Dunmall Sextet, Primitive Field, Quartetto Di Guido Mazzon, Ray Guntrip Band, and Roberto Bellatalla Quartet.

-Discogs (https://www.discogs.com/artist/341453-Roberto-Bellatalla)
10/2/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Thebe Lipere is a South African percussionist, a member of Dube and Louis Moholo's Viva La Black.

-Discogs (https://www.discogs.com/artist/490101-Thebe-Lipere)
10/2/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Tristan's Line 8:31

2. Joyful Noises 6:46

3. Mongezi-Frames Part One 6:55

4. Lost Opportunities 10:20

5. Mad High 4:35

6. Woza 5:31

7. Mongezi-Frames Part One (Alternate Take) 5:57

8. Woza (Alternate Take - Start & End) 0:51

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
Melodic and Lyrical Jazz
Jazz & Improvisation Based on Compositions
London & UK Improv & Related Scenes
Sextet Recordings
Jazz Reissues
New in Improvised Music
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