Conjure • Cab Calloway Stands in for the Moon

The second release from the rotating ensemble under Kip Hanrahan's direction, Conjure once again unites author Ishmael Reed's trenchant and sometimes hallucinatory words with a wide range of musical styles. Among the large and varied cast one finds musicians as diverse as erstwhile soul stylist Bobby Womack, Meters guitarist Leo Nocentelli, and avant trumpeter Olu Dara. As on the first album, the song structures are essentially blues- and pop-based, ably supported by both a contingent of extraordinary Latin percussionists and the gorgeous electric bass work of Steve Swallow. On the whole, the compositions aren't quite as striking this time out, but there are a couple that really stand out: Allen Toussaint's "Running for the Office of Love" with a ravishing vocal by Clare Bathe is easily imaginable as a fine pop hit, and Carmen Moore's "Bitter Chocklate" is indeed both bitter and beautiful. If this release doesn't quite possess the crackle of its predecessor, it remains a funky and enjoyable session, well worth hearing by fans of almost any genre.
by Brian Olewnick AMG

1. The Author Reflects On His 35th Birthday
(Reed, Swallow)
   
2. Loup Garou Means Change Into
(Harris, Reed)
   
3. 'Sputin
(Toussaint, Reed, Hanrahan, Nocentelli)

4. Nobody Was There
(Reed, Dara)
   
5. Medley: General Science / Ish / Papa La Bas
(Reed, Hanrahan)
   
6. Running For The Office Of Love (Prelude)
(Toussaint, Reed)
   
7. My Brothers
(Pullen, Reed)

8. Running For The Office Of Love
(Toussaint, Reed)
   
9. Petit Kid Everett
(Saunders, Reed, Hanrahan)
   
10. St. Louis Women (Excerpts)
( Reed)

11. Bitter Chocklate
(Moore, Reed)
   
12. Beware: Don't Listen To This Song
(Murray, Reed)

    

13. Minnie The Moocher
(Calloway, Mills)

Vocals

Bobby Womack, Clare Bathé, Diahnne Abbott, Grayson Hugh, Ishmael Reed, Robert Jason, Shaunice Harris, Tennessee Reed

Elysee Pyronneau • Electric Guitar

Leo Nocentelli • Electric Guitar
Johnny Watkins • Electric Guitar
Don Pullen • Organ, Vocals
Allen Toussaint • Piano
Olu Dara • Trumpet, Vocals, Harmonica
Hamiet Bluiett • Baritone Saxophone
Lenny Pickett • Tenor Saxophone
David Murray • Tenor Saxophone, Vocals
Eddie Harris • Tenor Saxophone, Vocals
Steve Swallow • Electric Bass
Fernando Saunders • Vocals, Electric Bass
Frisner Augustin • Congas
Manenquito Giovanni Hidalgo • Congas
Milton Cardona • Congas
Ignacio Berroa • Trap Drums
Robbie Ameen • Trap Drums
Carla Blank • Vocal Coach
Carman Moore • Conductor

Produced by Kip Hanrahan

 

Purchase

Label: American Clavé – AMCL 1015
Format: 320
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Funk / Soul, Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk