Review: Percussionist James Mtume, also a member of the radical black nationalist US Organisation, was a known proponent of the Kawaida philosophy, which promoted collective creativity rooted in pan-African and socialist principles. In December 1969, with his uncle Albert and father Jimmy Heath involved, Mtume recorded this powerful narrative modal jazz opera, with Don Cherry, Herbie Hancock, Ed Blackwell, and Buster Williams kept in sessional tow. An intense, rhythmanalytic masterpiece, every musician is given their own time in the auditory spotlight here, helping broach a fresh, mulitplicitous sound for the late 60s. 'Kamili' and 'Maulaina' are special pieces, intoxicating the ears with the scented feel of emotional gasoline: modal and Afrocentric jazz globes collide on this dustily remastered record, bringing seismic, voggy eruptions of spirit.
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