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The Paxton / Spangler Septet: Ugqozi

By Chris May
June 17, 2022
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Ugqozi is a celebration of modern, urban African music, especially that from South Africa, with which co-leaders trombonist

John "Tbone" Paxton

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">John "Tbone" Paxton and percussionist

" data-original-title="" title="">RJ Spangler have been in love for decades. It is also an affirmation of the vibrant Detroit scene of which the multi-generational Paxton / Spangler Septet is a part.

Actually, the band is not a septet. Depending on whether one goes by the sleeve credits or the press release, it is either an octet with three guests or a nonet with two. Not a septet anyway. And not that it matters. But just for the pedantic record.

Mostly mid-tempo, sunny and played with a winning loose-limbed swing, Ugqozi, which means "inspiration" in IsiZulu, is a seven-track affair with a 58:10 playing time (which seems shorter). The material mostly consists of covers, of which five are by iconic (for once the word is justified) elders and ancestors, and one, "Ithemba," by rising South African star, pianist

Nduduzo Makhathini

keyboards
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Nduduzo Makhathini. The other five are trumpeter

Mongezi Feza

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Mongezi Feza's "You Ain't Gonna Know Me 'Cos," trombonist

Caiphus Semenya

arranger

" data-original-title="" title="">Caiphus Semenya's "Part Of A Whole,"

Fela Kuti

saxophone
1938 - 1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Fela Kuti's "Water No Get Enemy,"

Miriam Makeba

vocals
1932 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Miriam Makeba and Jerry Ragovoy's "Pata Pata" and

Abdullah Ibrahim

piano
b.1934

" data-original-title="" title="">Abdullah Ibrahim's "Jabulani Easter Joy."

The sole original, "Lwandle's Lullaby," is by guest tenor saxophonist

Salim Washington

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Salim Washington, who also plays oboe and flute on the track, which has echoes of

Pharoah Sanders

saxophone, tenor
1940 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Pharoah Sanders' late 1960s, early 1970s astral jazz and in particular his Impulse debut as leader, Tauhid (1967). With Detroit bassist Jeff Cluny, who does not figure in the lineup, Washington also wrote the unfussy and effective arrangements for the album.

The septet going on nonet is packed with strong soloists, notably including Paxton, saxophonists Washington,

Dan Bennett

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Bennett and

Kasan Belgrave

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Kasan Belgrave (trumpeter

Marcus Belgrave

trumpet
1936 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Marcus Belgrave's son) and keyboardist

Phillip J. Hale

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Phillip J. Hale. Baritone saxophonist

Alex Harding

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Harding is heard only on "Water No Get Enemy," which he got to know well as a member of the onstage band during part of the US run of Fela! The Musical, and on which he here contributes a magnificent solo..

All up, the perfect soundtrack for a long, hot (in a good way) summer.

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Track Listing

You Ain��t Gonna Know Me ��Cos; Ithemba; Part Of A Whole; Lwandle��s Lullaby; Water No Get Enemy; Pata Pata; Jabulani Easter Joy.

Personnel

John "Tbone" Paxton

trombone

Dan Bennett

saxophone, tenor

Kasan Belgrave

saxophone, alto

Salim Washington

saxophone, tenor

Alex Harding

saxophone, baritone

John Douglas

trumpet

Phillip J. Hale

keyboards

Damon Warmack

bass

Kurt Krahnke

bass, acoustic

Sean Perlmutter

drums

RJ Spangler

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Dan Bennett: tenor and alto saxophones; Kasan Belgrave: alto saxophone, flute; RJ Spangler: congas, percussion; Salim Washington: tenor saxophone, oboe, flute (1, 2, 4, 7); Alex Harding: baritone saxophone (5); John Douglas: trumpet (5).

Album information

Title: Ugqozi | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Eastlawn Records

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