Recorded in 2012 at Hessicher Rundfunk in Frankfurt, this new album appears six years on from saxophonist Julian Argüelles and the Frankfurt Radio Big Band’s earlier collaboration Momenta. Pianist Django Bates solos on opener ‘Mra Khali’ by Dudu Pukwana, and other soloists include Heinz Dieter-Sauerborn, Oliver Leicht, Tony Lakatos, Argüelles’ brother, drummer Steve Argüelles, and Martin Scales.
Nearly all new Argüelles arrangements of mainly Blue Notes material, emanating from the influential group of South African musicians who left the Apartheid-addled South Africa of the 1960s to express themseleves freely and live more normal lives in Europe, besides the Pukwana opener and two more of his compositions (Argüelles soloing on the last of these, ‘Come Again’), there are also Mongezi Feza and Johnny Dyani compositions and a Chris McGregor arrangement of ‘Amasi’ plus a highly effective version of Abdullah Ibrahim’s ’The Wedding’ and a quietly compelling reading of Miriam Makeba’s ‘Retreat Song.’ Let it Be Told didn’t blow me away but nonetheless this is clearly a textbook treatment from an expert big band of music that more than stands the test of time, lovingly arranged.
Stephen Graham
Released in late-April