The most unusual piece here is undoubtedly "Rise & Fly." Originally recorded in 1959, it takes a musical theme and moves it through multiple key centers and meters, while never straying too far from home. For music composed nearly a half century ago, it's amazing how 'modern' it sounds. It also makes for an interesting companion to a truly modern song, Ornette Coleman's "Peace," included here as a tribute to Wiley's late Great Uncle Eddie.
Finally, it must be pointed out that a positive outlook, as found in much revival music, has always been an important ingredient in coping with adversity. This is reflected in the songs that bookend The Angola Project, which blasts out of the gate with the uptempo swagger of "Twelve Gates to the City," and closes it all down with the stomp of "Second Line." We shall overcome, indeed.
So jazz fans, remember the name of Howard Wiley. It'll come up again.
(The Angola Project CD is available at CDBaby.com)
Article comments
1 - Pico
i'm finally allowing myself to read this, now that I wrote my own Wiley review. I see I've still got some catching up to do ;&)
2 - Michael J. West
Confound you, Mark and Pico! I was going to review this...then I saw not one, but two reviews on it just this week! And two excellent reviews to boot!
Confound you both!
3 - Pico
I hear ya', Michael, I was already mostly done writing mine when Mark's appeared yesterday. I had to send him a real nasty e-mail to bitch and moan about it ;&)
That said, there's always room for your take on a record, no matter how many times it's been covered before. I hope we get to see it.