Louis Moholo-Moholo - Mpumi

[shrugs]

Louis Moholo-Moholo meets Mervyn Africa, Pule
Pheto & Keith Tippett: Mpumi (Ogun OGCD 014)

Outstanding duets with two South African pianists and the always wonderful Keith Tippett. I'll confess since purchsing this I have only listened to the tracks w/o Tippett once. I have listened to the 3 tracks of 45 minutes with Tippett around 6 times or so. As usual, Tippett is able to bring out everything possible from the piano. Moholo seems to excel in this format and we are even graced with some of his vocals as well. Listening to Moholo has made me break out the duets with Scwheizer and Taylor and I would love to hear him live with a pianist.
I think this will be on my top 10 list for the year. With the 45 minutes of the Moholo/Tippett duets, this disc is sure to please any fan of either musician.

I'll try and listen to the tracks with Africa and Pheto and get back.

[Sergio Zamora]

Sounds good. It's on the list. Is this pretty free-ish or more subdued?

[shrugs]

both. That's what I love about Tippett. He can keep it interesting and crazy but beautiful.

[Other Steve]

Seconding the recommendation: Tippett and Moholo are a mighty combination, and I'm enjoying getting to know the two South African pianists, whose work I hadn't previously encountered.

[Aggie87]

I'd like to see him team up with Scofield's recent group. Then we might get to see ScoLoHoFoMoholoMoholo...

[shrugs]

Holland and Lovano I'd like to hear with him but now way in hell would I want ot hear Scofield.

[Peter]

If you only buy one CD this year, make sure it's "Mpumi" on the Ogun label. It is Louis Moholo - drums meets Mervyn Africa, Pule Pheto and Keith Tippett - pianos. It was recorded back in September 1995, but only released during the past year. Mervyn Africa, and Pule Pheto have one cut each, with the remaining three cuts by Keith Tippett. All are brilliant, and unconditionally recommended. I have no vested interests, or business ties with the Ogun label. I just want to make sure that this unsolicited testimonial brings attention to some wonderful music making. Definitely will be on my top ten list for 2003.

[Brian Olewnick]

Is this improv or compositions? Moholo's "Spirit's Rejoice" (Ogun, 1978) is one of my big favorite recordings from that era, one that is in dire need of reissuing on disc (preferably with a remastering), but I found his "Viva La Black" very disappointing. If you know both, where does "Mpumi" fall along this divide?

[Peter]

It is improv, piano and drum duos. I do not know "Viva La Black",so I cannot compare. I do know "Spirits Rejoice" which is a big band concept, more structured than "Mpumi",but no less compelling. If you have the Cecil Taylor/Louis Moholo disc on FMP, this would give a good comparison.

[Brian Olewnick]

Hey, is this you, Peter of NYC concert-ubiquity fame? Welcome aboard! Good to have you here.


[edited--removed Peter's last name in case he'd rather not have it up here]

[shrugs]

agree with peter 100%!!!!!

[Nathaniel Catchpole]

Is that Peter "lives in Brooklyn" Peter. If so, that'd be the first pre-emptive JC poster hang I've ever done.

FWIW, I'm playing with Moholo and John Edwards in London on Oct 22nd, book your flights now!

[shrugs]

Congrats Nat! Wish I could make it but I'll be knee deep in packing and getting ready to move down south.
Is Moholo calling himself Louis Moholo-Moholo? The new cd has it that way and was just wondering about that.

[Peter]

I did live in Brooklyn for three years starting back in 1994, but have been living in Manhattan since. Yes!, I noticed that about Louis's last name on the CD "Mpumi". Can Nathaniel or anyone else help on this?.

[bluenoter]

Peter, I'm not picking on you, honest, but see this thread about Moholo's Mpumi.

[Brian Olewnick]

Rita, shrugs revitalized that thread (last posting May 23) after seeing Peter's. Can't really fault him on this one. Maybe Lois could combine them.

[bluenoter]

Thanks, Brian. Sorry, Peter.

I don't mean to fault anyone; I just get frustrated when I run across duplicate threads. Yet Lois doesn't necessarily notice them, and I feel like a dork if I post a message in the Feedback forum just to ask her to combine them.

Anyway, see the other Mpumi thread too.

[shrugs]

tsk, tsk!

[bluenoter]

tsk, tsk!

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Pete C]

Peter, you've arrived! The soft shell crabs must have done the trick.

[Peter]

Yes, I guess they could have something to do with it!. But I think it was more likely the company.

[Pete C]

Originally posted by Peter
But I think it was more likely the company.

Now we have to get Don the Ubiquitous on board.