Dizzy Gillespie - Afro

 A Morning in Tunisia
It's about 1:30 AM as I listen to a copy of Dizzy Gillespie's "Afro" that came in the mail today. The CD itself is a digitally remastered 24-bit limited edition release. I don't even really have a system nice enough to really take advantage of the sound. Still, my mind is almost meltin' outta my ears as I listen to this mindblowing marriage of "Afro-Cuban Vs. Afro-American" jazz.

I would say that it's like nothing I've ever heard...but that wouldn't be accurate. I grew up listenin' to jazz and so-called "latin" music as much as R&B and hip hop. It would prolly be more accurate to say that it's like nothing I've heard in years. And, in fact, I'm almost dumbfounded that I've never heard this album until now.

Dizzy Gillespie has always been one of my favorite jazz musicians, second only to Miles Davis--and it's an extremely close second. Dizzy's "A Night in Tunisia" (he's recorded several versions, right?), has been one of my favorite numbers since I was a kid. Tonight, for example, I'm now well into the 19th or 20th replay of the 1954 version on this album--and there's still two more tracks on the CD to go!

For years I've played the "if you had to be stuck on a desert island with ten albums, which ones would they be?" game with friends and acquaintances. I'm not even gonna torture myself over exactly who it's gonna be...but Dizzy Gillespie just replaced someone on that list tonight. March 8, 2006

 A piece of musical history...
To many, Dizzy Gillespie's collaboration with Chano Pozo spearheaded the development of Afro Cuban Jazz (or Cubop). Although Chano Pozo's life was brutally cut short in 1948 - 6 years before Afro was released, his influence throughout the album is undeniable. Manteca Theme, Contraste and Jungla are all based on the bass line of Manteca; a track originally composed by Gillespie and Pozo. "Manteca" means "lard" or "grease" in Spanish. It was also a slang word used by Cubans in the 1940s to describe "marijuana". The great Cuban percussionist was once quoted to have said to the equally legendary American trumpeter: "Me no speak English, you no speak Spanish, but we speak African". The album title couldn't have been more appropriate!!!
March 1, 2006

 A Granddaddy To Fusion
Dizzy was able to explore and synthesize various styles and in this case Afro-Cuban modes of music.
The famous Manteca,Night In Tunisia,Caravan are all here in their glory and the wonderful percussion and horn work throughout makes this a lively affair worthy of the colorful artwork and somehow certainly was far ahead of it's time when it was put out.
When listening to "new" rock bands such as Santana,War you can hear the influence Dizzy had on these players.
Digipak authentic classic Verve remaster.
Sound booms a bit but is more than fine for it's day and era. June 7, 2005

 There is a reason why they call me Dizzy too...
and this awesome piece of music is why. Not only is it Dizzy's finest hour, it is some of the wildest music him and his great band ever played. The wild Cuban beats combined with Dizzy's wild playing make for a very memorable listening experience. Dizzy Gillespie was the greatest trumpeter who ever lived and is just about tied for that title with Miles Davis. Listen to this masterpiece and you might just agree with me. May 20, 2005

 all-time great cd
This cd is a great moment in jazz history. The arrangements are perfect; the performances from this large ensemble are tight. A musical unit at the height of its ability playing a unique set of numbers. Dizzy's solos are unbelievable. Manteca and Caravan especially are powerful performances. One may have qualms with the version of "Night in Tunisia," as it uses flute as one of the lead instruments, but it's an interesting variation-- though you haven't heard it till you've heard Bird and Diz do it on sax and trumpet. The numbers are highly percussive, with an array of African drums going. It's intense, innovative and I've never heard another cd like it. September 3, 2003

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