Graham Haynes - The Griot's Footsteps (1994)

Tracklist

01. Gothic (Instrumental)
02. R H (For Roy Haynes) (Instrumental)
03. Enlightenment (Instrumental)
04. Flip Stories (Instrumental)
05. Psychic Plane (Instrumental)
06. The Griot's Footsteps (Instrumental)

The title of this disc (and the sight of a 26-minute-long track entitled "Enlightenment") might strike a certain chord of dread, especially since often, when American jazz musicians try to imitate African folk musicians, the whole thing ends up sounding like an exercise in hip affectation. But Haynes, a cornetist and son of famous drummer Roy, seems to have anticipated that problem and avoided it by going for flavor rather than authenticity; the result is a wonderful disc that blurs the definition of jazz in an original way. Featuring a standard instrumental ensemble consisting of cornet, saxophone, keyboard, bass and drums as well as such exotica as sitar and tamboura, this record draws the listener in with rich harmonic textures and insistent rhythmic pulses that manage to be hypnotic without being stultifying. "Enlightenment," daunting in length though it is (and even though it features an uninspired sitar solo by someone who doesn't seem to really know what she's doing), maintains its effectiveness by evoking exotic milieux without identifying them -- not really African, not really Asian, the song's feel is simply like that of some alien world's folk music. "R.H." is a touching tribute to Haynes' father, and the title track is an excellent six-minute piece which unfortunately lasts for more than fourteen. (You can skip over "Psychic Plane"; it may have been included as a joke.) Overall, this disc is an inspiring example of a young, talented mind honoring his musical heritage while expanding its boundaries and contributing to its development.

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