Further Fire Music

by Scott Yanow
This double-LP is a follow-up to Archie Shepp's Fire Music album but, since it was recorded one to six months later and uses different instrumentation, it actually has little in common, except for the quality. The avant-garde tenor performs three very different versions of "The Chased" and two other songs in a trio with bassist David Izenzon and drummer J.C. Moses, and there is an alternate take of "The Mac Man" with a quintet in August 1965. In addition, there are five selections (including a fiery recitation on "Scag") taken from the album New Thing at Newport, Shepp's appearance at the 1965 Newport Jazz Festival in a quartet with vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, bassist Barre Phillips and drummer Joe Chambers. Since much of this material has yet to be reissued on CD, free jazz collectors may want to search for this two-fer, which was issued as Vol. XVII of the Dedication Series in 1978.