Dollar Brand - African Space Program (1974)

A heady, ambitious and joyous blast of large-group arranging and playing from South African jazz legend Dollar Brand.  Known as Abdullah Ibrahim since his late 60s conversion to Islam, Dollar Brand was still the name that appeared on his albums up until about the mid 70s, after he took a trip back to South Africa (having lived in New York for some time) and produced some of his most enduring music there.

This album comes just before that period, and was recorded in NYC in November 1973.  Brand's writing and arrangements in the two-part Tintiyana evoke Ellington and Mingus, firstly in bold, colourful layers, then settling into a blues groove that absolutely cooks.  The rest of the album is taken up by the 23-minute Jabulani - Easter Joy, with an initial theme that (presumably accidentally, but who knows given the 'Easter' theme) brings to mind 'Jesus Christ, Superstar' before launching into a ferocious free-for-all.  It's an exhilarating wild ride that doesn't start to cool down until about 15 minutes in, and the perfect closer to a great record.

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