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
Molecular cover

Molecular

James Brandon Lewis Quartet
Sound cover

Sound

Roscoe Mitchell Sextet
Lebroba cover

Lebroba

Bill Frisell, Wadada Leo Smith, Andrew Cyrille
Bap-Tizum cover

Bap-Tizum

Art Ensemble of Chicago
Wired cover

Wired

Jeff Beck
Richter 858 cover

Richter 858

Bill Frisell
Disrespectful cover

Disrespectful

Tim Lefebvre, JZ Replacement
Bitches Brew cover

Bitches Brew

Miles Davis