URBAN RITUAL Ntshuks Bonga's 'TSHISA'

Ntshuks Bonga alto sax, clt, vcls; Ken Hyder dms, pcn; Marcio Mattos bs, cello. Recorded London 15 Dec 1994, except track 7, London 30 Sept 1994. SLAMCD 213

TRACKS:

1 Burning myths 8m 00s

2 City escapes 11 16

3 Ancient whispers 6 24

4 The urban precipice 5 59

5 Ritual reality 7 49

6 Rites of speech 4 21

7 Mzwanga, Mzwanga 13 18

8 Song insung 6 15

9 Before the snow 5 58

RUBBERNECK The trio is arguably the most flexible and variable context for improvisation, leading to variants such as three simulaneous soloists, sequential duos, or a more conventional lead soloist plus support. These three very different trios demonstrate some of the possibilities. Ntshukumo 'Ntshuks' Bonga is a South African alto sax player. He is joined by Marcio Mattos on bass and cello, and Ken Hyder on drums. Their music is completely improvised. Bonga takes much of the limelight, although Mattos and Hyder are never - could never be - just a rhythm section. The music varies between extremes. At one end, full tilt blowing; Bonga's playing tends to the upper end of the alto sax's range, giving it a declamatory, strident tone. The longest piece here, 'Mzangwa, Mzangwa', is dedicated to Dudu Pukwana, and Bonga's playing can radiate some of the same passion and intensity as Pukwana's/ At the other extreme, the three build up and sustain moods over a long period, using quiet, very controlled sounds and reacting sympathetically to each other's playing.