Live at Willisau [CD Reissue]

Personnel: Chris McGregor (piano); Dudu Pukwana (alto, alto saxophone); Evan Parker, Gary Windo (tenor saxophone); Harry Beckett, Mongezi Feza, Marc Charig (trumpet); Nick Evans, Radu Malfatti (trombone); Harry Miller (double bass); Louis Moholo (drums).
Audio Remixer: Keith Beal.
Recording information: Hotel Moren, Willisau, Switzerland (01/27/1973).
Editor: Keith Beal.
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath was a small big band (three trumpets, two trombones, three reeds and three rhythm) that combined freely improvised solos with African-influenced folk melodies. This live CD, released for the first time in 1994, features such soloists as tenor saxophonist Evan Parker, trumpeter Harry Beckett, trombonist Radu Malfatti (who is somewhat bizarre on "Kongi's Theme") and such Blue Notes as pianist McGregor, altoist Dudu Pukwana, trumpeter Mongezi Feza and drummer Louis Moholo. This is intriguing music that should have been more extensively documented. Adventurous listeners can be grateful that at least this document and a few others exist. ~ Scott Yanow