David Murray & The Gwo Ka Masters (Featuring Taj Mahal) - The Devil Tried To Kill Me (2009)

Tracklist:

01. Kiama for obama 10:39
02. Africa (feat. taj mahal) 08:11
03. Southern skies (feat. taj mahal and sista kee) 08:17
04. The devil tried to kill me (feat. sista kee) 09:48
05. Congo 07:38
06. Canto oneguine 10:43
07. Southern skies (radio edit) 04:48
08. Africa (radio edit) 04:48



After acclaimed recordings with such legends as Pharoah Sanders and Elvin Jones, David Murray invites longtime friend and collaborator, blues legend Taj Mahal, to join him for this spectacular recording that encompasses elements of jazz, blues and world music, recorded in Guadeloupe with the compelling Gwo-Ka Masters.

The Devil Tried To Kill Me is an example of how fiercely independent jazz is, and the benefits that we listeners derive from the fact that the music industry hasn't figured out how to control it yet. The combination of different styles of music contained within the eight tracks of the disc is not something you're liable to find on recordings of any type aside from jazz. The playing, and singing, from all involved is exemplary, with Murray's saxophone and bass clarinet leading from within instead of dragging everyone behind him. American and Caribbean music come together on this disc to create a sound as distinct as their individual parts, as unified as their common ancestry, and a genuine pleasure to listen to.