DATA 053
Nansika
Sean Bergin's Quintet playing music of South African composers at Bird's Eye Jazz Club -
€18.50 (incl. shipping + tax)

Sean Bergin has released a lovely quintet recording that not only confirms the long-standing association between New Dutch Swing players and post-Blue Notes South African expat musicians (of which Bergin is one), it also provides a window onto the latter group’s compositional output. While there are opportunities to become acquainted with this work on record—not only the composer’s own recordings but also the performances of groups like the Brotherhood of Breath and the Dedication Orchestra—Bergin’s group performs superlative renditions that deserve to be heard. Of course, the instrumentalists are key to the record’s success. Bergin plays with a kind of old-school passion (informed by free musics) that is perfectly suited to this inside-out date, as is Clark’s piano playing and the open-loose rhythm team. Franky Douglas’ quirky, cranky guitar at times recalls Brandon Ross in both its somewhat processed tone and its unpredictable, occasionally arch tendencies. In general the music is extremely joyful without losing the occasional edge of anger or melancholy, relaxed without sacrificing focus or intensity. These are stripped down, simple themes with strong lyrical content that permits the kind of wide open improvising this group exults in. The solos are langorously paced, at times even rambling, but somehow it suits the music’s steady rolling disposition. There are bouncing traditional themes like the title track (where Clark’s piano, springy and full of life, is wonderful), lush melodic forays (notably Mongezi Feza’s “You ain’t gonna know me,” an intensely mournful but resolute ballad, and Abdullah Ibrahim’s gorgeous “The Wedding”, long a favorite of mine), and brash exuberance (Dudu Pukwana’s raucous “Ezilalini” or the spirited, infectious “I Wish you Sunshine” by Johnny Dyani). Great band, great tunes, great recording—it’s all here.

Jason Bivins, Cadence.

Sean Bergin  - tenor
Franky Douglas - guitar
Curtis Clark - piano
Jacko Schoonderwoerd - bass
Victor de Boo - drums

Track Listing:

1. Woza Mtwana (Abdullah Ibrahim) 11:12
2. Nansika (trad.) 9:43
3. Ezilalini (Dudu Pukwana / Cadillac) 6:27
4. You ain't gonna know me (Mongezi Feza / Ogun) 5:29
5. Yakal Inkomo (Winston Ingozi / Samro) 10:11
6. The Wedding (Abdullah Ibrahim / Ekapa) 7:39
7. Ubagele (Dudu Pukwana / Cadillac) 5:53
8. Wish you sunshine (Johnny Dyani / Coda) 7:20