Zach Top Ketchaoua [VINYL]

After appearing with Archie Shepp at the landmark Pan-African Cultural festival in Algiers in 1969, African-American trumpeter-cornetist Clifford Thornton recorded a set of his own compositions in Paris later that year. The result was “Ketchaoua”, an important political and spiritual as well as musical statement that reflected the inspiration that he took from Islam. Indeed, the title of the album refers to the awe-inspiring mosque in Algiers. Clifford Thornton’s superb band comprised his compatriots, saxophonists Archie Shepp and Arthur Jones, drummer Sunny Murray, trombonist Grachan Moncur III, pianist Dave Burrell, and bassist Earl Freeman, as well as French bassist Beb Guérin. Together they brought energy and ingenuity to the leader’s compositions, which were characterised by vivid atmospheres, exploratory, mysterious sounds and haunting themes. And the song titles conveyed an important social and cultural message. Pieces such as “Brotherhood” pointed to the sense of unity and kinship that African-American artists felt with the citizens they encountered on their journey to North Africa and Europe. This newly remastered deluxe edition of “Ketchaoua” provides an opportunity to hear one of the major entries in Clifford Thornton’s relatively small yet nonetheless highly impressive discography. It is an album that marks him out as a figure in the avant-garde movement of the late 60s and early 70s who deserves far wider recognition. * Long-awaited reissue – out of print for over 50 years * Restored & remastered from the original tapes * New & insightful essay by author & jazz expert Kevin Le Gendre * LP original gatefold sleeve & artwork faithfully reproduced * For the first-time ever in CD format: CD deluxe digi- sleeve echoes the vibe of the original LP and includes a 16-page booklet * Official BYG Records release: one of the defining labels of the Free Jazz era * Follow-up release of Live at the Panafrican Festival by Archie Shepp