Eclectic Grooves 2nd Anniversary

Yes, it's really hard for me to believe, but today marks the second anniversary of the beginning of Eclectic Grooves. As I turn the page, I start reflecting on the past year and what it meant to me. I feel that this was a tough year in many respects, but it was also a time where I learned to grow spiritually and emotionally. While I haven't posted as often as I would have liked, I hope that some of you have heard some music on here that resonates with you. My sole purpose here is to write reviews about the music and artists that I am passionate about, and post rare music that accompanies these reviews.

At this time, I would like to thank the various folks that make this a worthwhile venture for me. First, to all of those people who have stopped by Eclectic Grooves since its inception, I sincerely thank you for your continued support. Secondly, I sincerely thank all of the bloggers who have posted a link to Eclectic Grooves on their blog. You make it easier for everyone to find my blog and hopefully discover some new music. Third, to all of the people who have subscribed to the blog's feed and podcast, I really appreciate your dedication and willingness to keep coming back despite sporadic posting. Without you guys, I would be less motivated to keep doing this. So give yourselves a hand for being a part of the Eclectic Grooves community. This is almost starting to sound like a Lifetime Achievement award speech on the Academy Awards, so I'll stop here before it gets too monotonous. Today's post goes out to all of you, so I hope you enjoy it!

Charles Gayle- Ancient of Days
















After seriously scouring the net, I haven't been able to find much from Charles Gayle's discography. In fact, the majority of his releases are only available as expensive imports, or they are out of print. Gayle was known to be a homeless street busker for over 20 years, sometimes going by the persona of "Shakes the Clown". His primary instrument is tenor saxophone, but he has proven to be just as adept at playing the piano and bass clarinet. Around 1988, he recorded his first album entitled Always Born on the Swedish label, Silkheart Records. In addition to Silkheart Records, Gayle has recorded for other experimental jazz labels like Knitting Factory Records, FMP, and Clean Feed. As a leader, he has released a mind-boggling twenty-three records and he has also played and recorded with The Blue Humans, Sunny Murray Duo, Sirone Bang Ensemble and Cecil Taylor.

Ancient of Days is essentially a free jazz album with more of a calm, restrained sound. With that being said, there are definitely spots that are anything but soothing. Since the record clocks in at over 70 minutes, it is probably better suited for breaking up into multiple listening sessions. Gayle is supported on this record by a stellar band including Juini Booth on bass, Michael Wimberly on drums and Hank Johnson on Piano. I was fortunate enough to catch Gayle's last performance in Portland when he played the Disjecta, and the spiritual, transcendent vibe of that performance is encapsulated within the grooves of this record.

"Betrayal" starts the album off with a standard 12-bar blues rhythm that compliments Gayle's slightly unhinged tenor saxophone playing. After Gayle masterfully solos for close to seven minutes, Hank Johnson chimes in with a colorful piano solo that briefly alters the mood of the piece. At about the nine-minute mark, Booth's rubbery bass solo temporarily slows down the tempo until Wimberly jumpstarts it within the last minute of the song. On "Risen Eternal," the tone of Gayle's sax is more reminiscent of Albert Ayler, with sharp bursts of shrieking and skronking sax setting the tone for the rest of the track. Other highlights include Booth's dynamic bass solo in the middle of "New Earth" that leads into an explosive drum solo recalling Elvin Jones at the height of Coltrane's experimental period and Gayle's highly inventive, incendiary saxophone soloing on the closer, "Glorified Love".

I hope you guys enjoy listening to this record. Your comments are always encouraged and appreciated!