Vive La Black

After his magnificent Spirits Rejoice! album, Viva La Black came as something of a disappointment. Whereas the former created a thrilling meld of South African kwela music and British avant-garde jazz, the latter too often sounds like just another post-bop session, albeit with township overtones. There are two basic reasons: first, the musicians, while all decent, aren't quite on the level of the group assembled earlier with the likes of Evan Parker, Johnny Dyani, and Kenny Wheeler; more importantly, the compositions don't strike that same, deeply rich chord with melodies that sound as though they could go on forever. Oddly, five of the six pieces here (aside from the one by Moholo himself) are composed by musicians not in the band, though all have been associated with this part of the English scene. Chris McGregor's "Joyful Noises" has something of a South African ring to it, but eventually turns into "merely" a springboard for solos. Bassist Harry Miller, who was also on the previous album but who died prior to this recording, is represented by a stately, lovely theme ("Lost Opportunities"), but Steve Williamson's somewhat shrill soprano work drags the piece down. The compositions by Keith Tippett and the late Mongezi Feza are both rather herky-jerky, and neither really give the band a chance to stretch. Moholo's closing "Woza" is probably the most enjoyable track here, a throbbing driver, featuring vocal prods, nice dual trumpet/flugelhorn (at the same time) work by Claude Deppa, and imaginative playing by Sean Bergin. Viva La Black isn't a bad record by any means, merely disappointing knowing what this master drummer was capable of. ~ Brian Olewnick