Gwotet cover
Released

Gwo-ka is a polyrhythmic folk music, played on hand drums, originating on the islands of the Guadeloupean archipelago in the Francophone Caribbean. It dates back to the 17th century, but modern gwo-ka performers like drummer and vocalist Klod Kiavue have updated the music somewhat, adding electric bass, congas, and djembe. Gwotet is Murray’s third collaboration with Kiavue, and the music is sweeter and rougher by turns than on 1998’s Creole or 2002’s Yonn-Dé, where they first took the band name David Murray & The Gwo-Ka Masters; some pieces feature as many as eight horns, and gentle, almost highlife-esque guitar. But Murray’s solos frequently reach screaming heights of ecstasy, and when special guest Pharoah Sanders turns up on “Ouagadougou” and “Ovwa,” the energy level goes through the ceiling.

Phil Freeman

Suggestions
Illuminations cover

Illuminations

Carlos Santana, Alice Coltrane
Agharta cover

Agharta

Miles Davis
Driftglass cover

Driftglass

SEED Ensemble
Garden Party cover

Garden Party

Dopolarians
Bending Bridges cover

Bending Bridges

Mary Halvorson Quintet
Codona 3 cover

Codona 3

Collin Walcott, Codona, Naná Vasconcelos, Don Cherry
Unit Structures cover

Unit Structures

Cecil Taylor
Surrendered cover

Surrendered

David S. Ware
Astral Traveling cover

Astral Traveling

Lonnie Liston Smith