Julian Argüelles - Let It Be Told (2015)

Let It Be Told is saxophonist and composer Julian Argüelles' second collaboration with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band on Basho Records, following Momenta (Basho SRCD 29-2). It is his twelfth album as leader. The album includes new arrangements of compositions by Dudu Pukwana, Mongezi Feza, Johnny Dyani, Miriam Makeba as well as an atmospheric development of Abdullah Ibrahim's much loved composition The Wedding. As well as capturing his deep enthusiasm for and knowledge of the work of the The Blue Notes, it also represents his longstanding relationship with the musicians in the Frankfurt Radio Big Band. With the exception of Chris McGregor's arrangement of Amasi, Argüelles arranged all this music specifically for this project. Here he has succeeded in bringing his own character and interpretation to the music, as well as utilising the skills of the musicians in the band. He has also retained the vibrancy and spirit of the source material. Since joining Loose Tubes at the age of 20, Julian Argüelles has become an internationally acclaimed and influential musician. His most recent accolades include a Parliamentary Jazz Award nomination for his 2014 album Circularity and a place on the BASCA shortlist for his composition Hocus Pocus. He has worked with a long list of international artists including Hermeto Pascoal, Dave Holland, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie and Bill Frisell. Let It Be Told also emphasises some of these longstanding musical relationships, including with his brother Steve (drums and percussion) and with Django Bates, a pivotal member of Loose Tubes and prominently featured here. The experience of these musicians produces fluent, intuitive and empathetic playing. The Frankfurt Radio Big Band is a versatile and creative ensemble working across a range of music, from traditional big band jazz to the avant-garde. Soloists here include Heinz Dieter-Sauerborn, Oliver Leicht, Tony Lakatos, Rainer Heute, Peter Feil, Axel Schlosser and Martin Scales. Let It Be Told is a confident and effective collaborative project and an honest, imaginative approach to musical influences. Richard Williams writes: 'When the five musicians (Mongezi Feza, Dudu Pukwana, Johnny Mbizo Dyani, Chris McGregor, Louis Moholo-Moholo) of the Blue Notes left the apartheid state of South Africa to settle in Europe in 1964, finally establishing a home in London the following year, they brought with them a sound whose echoes are still evident after half a century. Like so much jazz through the ages, it expressed a profound yearning for freedom, but in this case articulated through the use of dance tunes, hymns and other music from the townships of their native land. The Argüelles brothers – Julian and Steve – and Django Bates, all of whom are featured on this recording, were part of the Loose Tubes collective, whose repertoire reflected the funky vivacity and deep but never oppressive sense of spirituality that the South Africans had made their speciality. Steve and Django were also members of Zila, Pukwana's group, in the 1980s, and in turn welcomed him as a guest on their first album as Human Chain in 1986. Julian spent five memorable years as a member of the final version of the Brotherhood of Breath, McGregor's big band, until the leader's death in 1990.'

Tracklist:

1. Mra Khali (6:39)
2. Mama Marimba (7:18)
3. Retreat Song (Jikele Maweni) (7:57)
4. You Ain't Gonna Know Me ('cos You Think You Know Me) (7:26)
5. Diamond Express (5:25)
6. The Wedding (9:26)
7. Amasi (3:39)
8. Amabutho (4:07)
9. Come Again (4:49)