The Third Decade

The Third Decade

ASIN: B00002MYHH

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Different visions of the band's roots and possibilities emerge in this 1984 recording. The piece "Funky AECO" is a populist delight, a funk riff driven along by Malachi Favors's electric bass and Don Moye's precisely idiomatic backbeat, then given a surreal push by the unlikely and elephantine sound of Roscoe Mitchell's bass saxophone, with sly inflections contributed by Lester Bowie's trumpet. Joseph Jarman's "Prayer for Jimbo Kwesi" is an utterly different pleasure, a haunting African-flavored tune that weds its open harmonies and repeating melody to subtle use of flutes and synthesizers. Another moment of great subtlety arises in Bowie's refined invocation of Miles Davis in "The Bell Thing." --Stuart Broomer

The Third Decade,The Art Ensemble of Chicago,Ecm Records,Avant-Garde,Avant-Garde Jazz,Free Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop

Average customer rating:

Beyond Jazz

their various talents itemised -

Wonderful music, wonderfully played

Good, But Not Essential

The Third Decade
The Art Ensemble of Chicago
Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ECM Classical | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ECM Jazz & World | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Full Force

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Urban Bushmen

ASIN: B00002MYHH
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Prayer For Jimbo Kwesi
Funky AECO
Walking In The Moonlight
Bell Piece, The
Zero
Third Decade

Amazon.com essential recording

Different visions of the band's roots and possibilities emerge in this 1984 recording. The piece "Funky AECO" is a populist delight, a funk riff driven along by Malachi Favors's electric bass and Don Moye's precisely idiomatic backbeat, then given a surreal push by the unlikely and elephantine sound of Roscoe Mitchell's bass saxophone, with sly inflections contributed by Lester Bowie's trumpet. Joseph Jarman's "Prayer for Jimbo Kwesi" is an utterly different pleasure, a haunting African-flavored tune that weds its open harmonies and repeating melody to subtle use of flutes and synthesizers. Another moment of great subtlety arises in Bowie's refined invocation of Miles Davis in "The Bell Thing." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Beyond Jazz.......2002-08-20

This was my introduction to the AEC and it still remains my favorite (along with Full Force). I would recommend it to any rock/pop fan who is interested in checking out the weirder side of jazz, but is not enthused about purely shrill, free form blowing. There is a little bit of that towards the end of the album, but what preceeds it defines the meaning of "eclectic." The AEC sound is always inhabited by all manner of bells, whistles, drums, and perfectly "off" saxophones, but here they are all put in the service of some consistently great melodies. "Prayer For Jimbo" builds mysteriously out of a strange, hovering synth hum, while a delicate folk melody is slowly developed on top. It creates a very surreal, dream-like atmosphere whilst building to the aptly titled "Funky AEOC." The bass kicks out what starts as a very earthy groove but the intertwining horn lines push it towards something akin to elastic space funk. From here we get some hard bop, some free jazz, and a symphony of bells, all played with that certain "otherness" which makes this band so special. All of this sonic adventurousness culminates in the title track where, for the first time, the horns begin to wail like sirens. After the admirable restraint shown on the rest of the album, it's as if Bowie, Jarman, et al, are announcing the beginning of their Third Decade, ready to explore new territory and blow minds in the process. If you missed it the first time around, here's your chance!!

their various talents itemised -.......2002-03-20

This album is a collection of tracks that each highlight different aspects of the music that they brew up so wonderfully in the long, exploratory pieces and suites in the concert albums such as Urban Bushmen.
'jimbo' is intricate patterns of horns over delicate percussion that grows in intensity, 'funky' is what it says, a bassline that James Brown would have been proud of, but with clever interplay of horns crying on top. 'walking' could almost be a pop song featuring a lovely tenor solo. The bells is free improvisation coming up out of a primeval bass noise. the next one is pure hard-bop that wouldn't be out of place on an Art Blakey album.
But whatever style they play the interplay between the horns keeps you on the edge of your seat and it's all underpinned by one of the best and most versatile rhythm units ever, not just the bass and drums (and every kind of percussion you can think of) but driving rhythms from bass saxophones and other horns too.
An interesting way to get a grip on the musics that AEC have drawn together throughout their career.

Wonderful music, wonderfully played.......2000-08-14

I bought this album when it came out on LP & listened to it over and over again. From "Walking in the Moonlight" by Roscoe, Sr., to "Funky AECO" to the mystic "Bell Piece" I love this album. All five members play some great grooves. Lester, rest in peace.

Good, But Not Essential.......2000-07-29

Since we are all entitled to our own opinion, I have to disagree with this being selected as an essential recording. This is not one of the essential albums of the 80s, or even one of the Art Ensemble's best. "The Third Decade" basically rehashes their creations of the first two decades with some watered-down funk added for rhythmic appeal. It's a good thing the Art Ensemble rebounded in the fourth decade with the "Dreaming of the Masters" recordings and the classic "Alternative Express."