October 17, 2002

JAZZ'HALO TONESETTERS-VKH TS001 (reissue, previously released in 1991) photo: Jacky Lepage

CHRIS JORIS SONGS FOR MBIZO The 1976 tapes Chris JORIS, piano, percussion Johnny DYANI, double bass David Lee SCHLOSS, Michel MAST, tenor sax Julian Sebothane BAHULA, African drums Cheikh Tidiane FALL, congas, percussion Frans PELGRIMS, drums recorded at HIFI HOME STUDIO, Brugge (Belgium), July 1976 by Ron Cottam The 1991 tapes Chris JORIS: piano, percussion, berimbau, udu clay drums, flute John RUOCCO, tenor sax, alto clarinet Steve HOUBEN, flute, alto flute Frank VAGANÉE, alto sax Bob STEWART, tuba Christoph ERBSTÖSSER, piano Frans VAN DER HOEVEN, double bass Dré PALLEMAERTS, drums David LINX, vocals on (11) recorded at IMPULS STUDIO, Herent (Belgium), March 19 & 20, 1991 by Allan WARD

The White Side Of Black Rivers Lullaby For Ephraïm Panontigri (Joris / Tidiane Fall) Part 1: Morning Part 2: Invitation Part 3: Village Dance Song For Mbizo part I Blowin’ Your Bow To The Berimbob (Joris / Stewart) Shaya Sebothane Berimbau Dance Of The Mulatos Monody In A Moonlit Night Song For Mbizo part II (Joris / lyrics: David Linx) November 30th All compositions by Chris Joris except where indicated

“This is an example of how you compose a CD and how you keep it interesting until the ultimate second. ” Sim Simons in “Muziek, een Privilege” (Belgium), September 1991 “ “La première évidence que révèle ce disque, c’est la variété des talents du leader, poly-instrumentiste avéré, passant des percussions au piano, du berimbau à la flûte avec une aisance admirable. La seconde évidence touche à l’authenticité des climats évoqués. ..... au-delà de l’étiquette afro qui lui est accolée généralement, Joris reste avant tout un “enfant du jazz”. Et il faut bien dire que le résultat est à la mesure des ambitions: une musique forte, sensible, libre, où, par la force des choses, plane par moments l’ombre d’Abdullah Ibrahim. ” Jean-Pol Schroeder in “Jazz In Time”, September 1991 Dyani’s death in 1988 provoked a remarkable number of albums paying respect to his memory and example. ‘Songs For Mbizo’ can hold its head up next to the best of those tributes. ” Barry Witherden in “The Wire” (U.K.), October 1993 “Buy a Belgian beer, turn down the lights, and listen to the piano while David Linx sings ‘Song for Mbizo’. ” L. S. in “The Improvisor”, volume X, 1993 Belgian pianist/percussionist Chris Joris recorded these sessions with tubaist Bob Stewart and South African bassist Johnny (Mbizo) Dyani back in 1976. Sadly, Dyani passed away in 1988, while additional tracks emanating from 1991 sessions featuring Stewart and a conglomerate of European artists round out this effort. Joris’ knowledge and implementations of wide ranging rhythmic structures come to fruition on this gem of a release. Throughout these pieces, Joris performs on berimbau (including a lovely duet with Stewart), various percussion instruments, ethnocentric flutes, and piano. As a pianist the artist generally hits the right notes, or sweet spots via harmonically rich block chords and Bill Evans-ish right hand leads. However, his shrewd arrangements and clever integrations of sonorous horn parts with world groove percussion romps provide many of the highlights. The piece titled “Dance of the Mulatos,” features Steve Houben’s enchanting flute work coupled with the septet’s budding undercurrents and breezy arrangements. Many of these works boast world beat rhythms of various flavors and colors, whereas Joris’ compositions generally contain memorably melodic choruses amid a few stirring ballads and rousing opuses. Joris isn’t that well known here in the states but has been garnering percussion-based awards over in Europe while fronting various ensembles. To a certain extent, Joris was ahead of his time and now’s your chance to find out why. Passionately recommended. Glenn Astarita http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r0902_126.htm Home NewsFlash Musicians Live Jazz Bands CDs In Print Education LDH Radio|TV Links WIM jo