Clifford Thornton - Ketchaoua

Following up a request from fellow blogger Correct Silence, here is another of the many records coming out of Paris in the late 60s, mixing mostly American expats with French musicians and released on the legendary Byg Actuel label. This has cornetist Clifford Thornton in four different ensembles, from multimember down to trio. Only four tracks, from the boisterous "Brotherhood" to the moody atmospherics of the tile track to the chant-infused "Pan-African festival". He was to release another album, The Panter and the Lash, on America, another French label documenting the same scene.

Due to alleged connections to the Black Panther Party, he was denied entry to France in 1970, but the ban was lifted the year after. Due to this interruption, he was unable to continue teaching and performing in France and eventually relocated to Geneva in Switzerland. Durinng this period he made The Gardens of Harlem, again for a large ensemble, which to my knowledge has not been released on cd. Later on he was featured on an allbum by Joe Malinga, a South Asrican expat.

Trckslisting:

A1 Ketchaoua

Alto Saxophone – Arthur JonesBass – Beb GuerinCongas, Gong, Percussion – Earl FreemanCornet, Congas – Clifford ThorntonDrums – Sunny MurrayPiano, Bells – Dave BurrellSoprano Saxophone – Archie SheppTrombone – Grachan Moncur III

A2 Pan African Festival

Alto Saxophone – Arthur JonesBass – Beb Guerin, Earl FreemanCornet, Congas – Clifford ThorntonDrums – Sunny MurrayPiano – Dave BurrellSoprano Saxophone – Archie SheppTrombone – Grachan Moncur III

B1 Brotherhood
Alto Saxophone – Arthur JonesBass – Beb Guerin, Earl FreemanCornet – Clifford ThorntonDrums – Claude Delcloo


B2 Speak With Your Echo (And Call This Dialogue)
Bass – Beb Guerin, Earl FreemanCornet – Clifford Thornton

Recorded August 18, 1969 in Paris.