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Charlie Apicella & Iron City: The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling

By Hrayr Attarian
June 18, 2023
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Charlie Apicella & Iron City: The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling

Guitarist Charlie Apicella and his organ trio Iron City are solidly based in the hard-bop mainstream. However, some of their releases are flavored with other motifs, partially by virtue of the guest artists. For instance, the tribute to legendary guitarist

B.B. King

guitar, electric
1925 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">B.B. King, Payin' the Cost To Be the Boss (CArlo, Music, 2016), with an augmented sextet, was aptly bluesy. Meanwhile Classic Guitar (Zoho, 2020), with tenor saxophonist

Stephen Riley

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Stephen Riley, was an intimate interpretation of the Great American Songbook.

On his eighth, and so far most ambitious, project The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling, he is joined by three masters of free improvisation for a single, nine-part, stimulating and boundary-pushing suite. The mostly improvised music incorporates occasional pre-written passages by Apicella, and, in addition to western instruments, utilises Himalayan and West African ones.

Opening with "As the Sun Rises," multi-reed player

Daniel Carter

saxophone
b.1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Daniel Carter, bassist

William Parker

bass
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">William Parker and Apicella set a meditative mood before the entire band launches into "Titan vs Sphinx." Carter's lines float coolly over organist

Brad Whiteley

piano
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Brad Whiteley and drummer

Austin Walker

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Austin Walker's percolating groove. The collective extemporization, with Apicella contributing resonant blistering chords, progresses with unfettered energy.

The exciting piece seamlessly dovetails into the mystical "Juma's Song / Maliki Melasha." Percussionist

Juma Sultan

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Juma Sultan drives the cadence while Parker contributes his trademark, eloquent and virtuosic basslines. The ambience is one of primal spirituality. Apicella and Carter engage in a sparse conversation over the controlled yet riotous ensemble performance. The result is contemplative and thrilling.

An understated soulfulness permeates the entire album. On the segment called "Where Do You Find These People?," an angular rhythmic structure is at the core of the pensive performance. Carter's saxophone wails while Whiteley contributes simmering refrains. Walker and Sultan drive this meandering track with their poignant beats. Here, as at many instants on this recording, the band flirts with but never quite embraces dissonance.

The Griots Speak: Destiny Calling is not only a delightful melding of styles, it is also vibrant and alive with brilliant spontaneity. Using international folk instruments, similar to his mentor multi-reed player

Yusef Lateef

woodwinds
1920 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Yusef Lateef, Apicella demonstrates music's pan cultural appeal which is both very individual yet universal. Apicella has succeeded in creating a work which is simultaneously provocative and has wide appeal.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

As the Sun Rises; Titan vs. Sphinx; Juma's Song / Maliki Melasha; We're All Here in Spirit; It's Alright to Run; I Heard in Passing; If You Know Where to Look; Where Do You Find These People?; Sparks.

Personnel

Charlie Apicella

guitar

Daniel Carter

saxophone

William Parker

bass

Juma Sultan

percussion

Brad Whiteley

piano

Austin Walker

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Daniel Carter: flute, clarinet, trumpet, piano; Charlie Apicella: madal drum, Tibetan singing bowls; William Parker: doson ngoni, gralla, gembiri, pocket trumpet; Brad Whiteley, organ.

Album information

Title: Destiny Calling | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: OA2 Records

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