1: Suns Of Africa - Part 1 (15:24) 2: Suns Of Africa - Part 2 (2:42) 3: R.I.P. (9:30) 4: Unity (6:55)
Description:
"Hommage To Africa" is a powerful CD release by pioneering free jazz drummer Sunny Murray, presented here in a carefully produced edition by Ultra Vybe. Recorded during a period when Murray was redefining the role of the drum kit in jazz, this album captures an intense, spiritual and often turbulent homage to African heritage and rhythm. Expect long, exploratory pieces built around open forms, collective improvisation and a raw, emotional energy that never settles into predictable patterns. Instead of conventional swing timekeeping, Murray creates waves, surges and splashes of sound that carry the ensemble forward, leaving plenty of space for horns and other instruments to cry, chant and converse. The result is an immersive listening experience that feels ritualistic, political and deeply personal at once, a key document for anyone interested in the evolution of avant-garde and free jazz.
The sound world on "Hommage To Africa" is shaped by dense polyrhythms, sharp accents and a sense of controlled chaos that gradually reveals a strong inner logic. African-inspired motifs, call-and-response figures and chant-like melodic fragments appear and dissolve in a continuous flow, evoking both the struggle and pride of the African diaspora. Rather than polished studio perfection, this recording embraces immediacy and presence - you can hear musicians listening closely to one another, pushing dynamics from near silence to explosive outbursts. This makes the CD not only historically significant but also highly engaging for contemporary listeners who are drawn to boundary-breaking, emotionally charged music.
Ultra Vybe, the label and manufacturer behind this edition, is known in Japan and internationally for its dedication to high-quality reissues and carefully curated catalogues across jazz, soul, funk and related genres. Their releases are appreciated by collectors for solid audio remastering, faithful or lovingly upgraded packaging and a clear respect for the original artistic intent. By issuing "Hommage To Africa," Ultra Vybe underlines its commitment to preserving important, often hard-to-find free jazz titles and making them accessible to a new generation of listeners who discover this music through premium physical editions.
Sunny Murray is widely regarded as one of the architects of free jazz drumming. Coming to prominence in the 1960s, he broke away from strict timekeeping and ride-cymbal patterns to develop an approach in which rhythm becomes texture, momentum and atmosphere. His collaborations with major innovators of the avant-garde scene helped establish him as a central figure in the movement, and his own albums are considered essential listening for understanding the evolution of modern improvised music. Over the decades, Murray's work has influenced countless drummers and improvising musicians who adopted his liberated concept of time and his bold, expressive sound on the kit.
Modern
32.382
- AcidJazz/DanceJazz 106- Avantgarde/Free 982- Bebop 109- Bossa Nova 341- Cool 75- Hard Bop 155- Jazz Rock/Fusion 748- Latin Jazz 1.000- Other Modern Jazz 27.397- PopJazz/SmoothJazz 798- World-&Ethno-Ja. 448
