Basketball court encounter spawns stimulating long lasting collaboration

''I met Kahil El'Zabar on the basketball court here in Chicago. I came through Chicago to stay with Don Moye and then he took me to this park and the next thing I know Kahil was holding court at the park and he was a pretty good basketball player …

Published: 19 Apr 2020. Updated: 3 years.

''I met Kahil El'Zabar on the basketball court here in Chicago. I came through Chicago to stay with Don Moye and then he took me to this park and the next thing I know Kahil was holding court at the park and he was a pretty good basketball player too, I don't know if you know that. But I liked the way he played. I liked the way he played percussion. And his thought wave was very progressive,'' says tenor saxophone great David Murray.

Murray in the audio is introducing the upcoming hot prospect of Kahil El'Zabar's 'Spirit Groove' ft. David Murray.

Emma Dayhuff on bass; Justin Dillard, synth, piano, organ, join percussionist-vocalist El'Zabar and Murray on the record.

Long time El'Zabar and Murray fans will relish the fact that 'One World Family', which closes the upcoming album to be released on the SpiritMuse label in June, is a new live version of the Kahil El'Zabar Trio feat. David Murray and Fred Hopkins number that appeared on their Delmark 2002 album Love Outside Of Dreams. Check the slap tonguing once again on the Love Outside of Dreams version at the beginning that sets up the eco-conscious groover. SG

Photo via Bandcamp.

Tags:

Track of the day: 'The Beginning' by Alain Oyono

Locked down in Dakar, his regular gig on pause for the moment, and this autumn set to be based in Birmingham, saxophonist Alain Oyono is all ready to make his mark as a leader and is to debut with The Beginning. Oyono, who has lived in Dakar since …

Published: 18 Apr 2020. Updated: 3 years.

Next post

Locked down in Dakar, his regular gig on pause for the moment, and this autumn set to be based in Birmingham, saxophonist Alain Oyono is all ready to make his mark as a leader and is to debut with The Beginning.

Oyono, who has lived in Dakar since 2013 when he moved from his homeland of Cameroon and where he was heavily influenced by the late great Manu Dibango, has been working long-term with the icon of African music Youssou n'Dour as a member of his band Le Super Étoile de Dakar touring the world and making records including History, playing the Proms in London in 2018.

Now's the time on The Beginning, a gorgeous Grover Washington Jr-like atmosphere evoked in the Oyono-composed ballad, a quality melody that you could easily imagine belonging on a Luther Vandross record. SG

Alain Oyono, photo: YouTube