A pair
of great albums back to back – both rare albums from a percussionist who worked with Sun Ra! First up is Mora volume 1 – a legendary early set from percussionist Francisco Mora Catlett – and a really sublime blend
of spiritual
jazz and Latin rhythms! Mora's percussion is definitely at the core – but the set also features wonderful contributions from Vincent Bowens on tenor and soprano sax, Jerome LeDuff on berimbau, Alberto Nacif on quinto, and Detroit
jazz legend Kenny Cox on piano! There's a balance here that really matches the
best Strata East energy
of the 70s – an open, flowing approach that's completely sublime, and very righteous too – even more so than anything Mora's done since the 70s – making this record one
of his greatest achievements ever. Tersa Mora sings a bit
of vocals at times – and titles include "Afra Jum", "Five AM", "Rumba Morena", "Samba De Amor", and "Cultural Warrior". Mora 2 is a set recorded in Detroit, but one that's got a globe's worth
of elements in the mix – originally recorded in the mid 80s, but not released until a brief CD issue in the early part
of the 21st Century! Despite that history, the album's a really timeless record that encompasses a world's worth
of elements in
jazz! Francisco Mora Catlett's at the height
of his powers here – leading the group with a sense
of righteous majesty that takes us back to some
of the most ambitious heirs
of the post-Coltrane generation, but with perhaps an oddly rhythmic twist as well – such as you might find in some
of the 70s classics
of Bobby Vince Paunetto. Echoes
of Latin, Afro, and spiritual
jazz come together as one – soaring to the skies on soulful waves
of sound – brought together with a sense
of focus and spirit that really moves us a lot. Players include Marcus Belgrave and John Douglass on trumpets, Sherman Mitchell on trombone, Vincent Bowens on tenor and flute, Alex Harding on baritone and bass clarinet, Kenny Cox on piano, and Rodney Whitaker on bass – and titles include "Samba/
Conga De Amor", "Amazona Prelude/
Dawn", "Old Man Joe", "Por Que Paro", and "Afra-Jum (parts 2 & 3)".
(Jazz, Global Grooves)