Record Reviews

REVOLUTIONARY ENSEMBLE ~ REVOLUTIONARY ENSEMBLE ENJA 2148 (Barcode: 063757214823) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1977 Released: 2008 This is a reissue / remaster of a live album by American Free Jazz / Improvised Music trio Revolutionary EnsembleFind albums by this artist, which comprised of violinist Leroy JenkinsFind albums by this artist, bassist SironeFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Norris JonesFind albums by this artist) and drummer Jerome CooperFind albums by this artist. The album presents four tracks, all lengthy improvisations credited individually or collectively to the trio members. The group existed between 1970 and 1977 and this is their last (also 5th) album before they disbanded. They briefly reunited in 2004 and released one more studio album in 2005. All the members of the trio are sadly no longer with us. The music is extreme Avant-Garde / Improvised Music, completely devoid of any easily recognizable melodic / rhythmic structures, full of highly energetic exchanges and wonderful cooperative work, despite the superficial mayhem, but of course not something most conventional Jazz listeners will consider exploring. The trio is rooted in earlier Afro American Free Jazz explorations, like those by Anthony BraxtonFind albums by this artist, Art Ensemble Of ChicagoFind albums by this artist, etc. but the leaderless concept and extreme Free-Spirited approach differentiated between them and the 1960s early Avant-Garde movement. Overall, this is a highly interesting document of the American Improvised Music scene in the 1970s, which was one of the last truly original music phenomena originating in the USA. Obviously this music has a limited appeal to most Jazz listeners, but is truly worth exploring for those more courageous listeners out there.

Updated: 10/02/2026Posted: 10/02/2026

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