Gwotet cover
Released

Gwo-ka is a polyrhythmic folk music, played on hand drums, originating on the islands of the Guadeloupean archipelago in the Francophone Caribbean. It dates back to the 17th century, but modern gwo-ka performers like drummer and vocalist Klod Kiavue have updated the music somewhat, adding electric bass, congas, and djembe. Gwotet is Murray’s third collaboration with Kiavue, and the music is sweeter and rougher by turns than on 1998’s Creole or 2002’s Yonn-Dé, where they first took the band name David Murray & The Gwo-Ka Masters; some pieces feature as many as eight horns, and gentle, almost highlife-esque guitar. But Murray’s solos frequently reach screaming heights of ecstasy, and when special guest Pharoah Sanders turns up on “Ouagadougou” and “Ovwa,” the energy level goes through the ceiling.

Phil Freeman

Suggestions
Live in Japan cover

Live in Japan

John Coltrane
The Hill cover

The Hill

David Murray Trio
The Hearinga Suite cover

The Hearinga Suite

Muhal Richard Abrams
Bitches Brew cover

Bitches Brew

Miles Davis
Ascension cover

Ascension

John Coltrane
Sound cover

Sound

Roscoe Mitchell Sextet
We Out Here cover

We Out Here

Various Artists
SuperBigmouth cover

SuperBigmouth

Chris Lightcap