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Oluyemi Thomas
Oluyemi Thomas: Positive Knowledge
by Martin Longley
Oluyemi Thomas, the sage-like reedman from Oakland, California, is heading to town this month and will be playing in a duo setting with New York drummer and percussionist Michael Wimberley, whom he describes as both creative-minded and creative-spirited." It's the spiritual sphere--however this is defined, impossible to nail down--that appears to guide much of Thomas' journey. In recent times, there's been much talk of spiritual jazz as a genre unto itself and if such a musical category exists, then surely ...
read moreOluyemi Thomas: Before the Beginning
by Rex Butters
Recorded live at the 2002 High Zero Festival in Baltimore, Maryland, Before the Beginning documents Oluyemi Thomas in action. Under recorded and wildly original, Thomas prowls a boundless unknown through whichever horn he blows. The program presents Thomas as the constant playing with a changing configuration of partners. The CD divides the near-continuous performance into six movements.
Opening with airy atmospherics, 'Humbled & Grateful' quickly finds Thomas' rich and reedy bass clarinet exchanging ideas with Baker's piano. Thomas ...
read moreSirone's Last American Recording: Oluyemi Thomas, Sirone and Michael Wimberly's "Beneath Tones Floor"
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Gapplegate Music Review by Grego Edwards
Bassist Sirone's recent passing was a sad event. He has been a mainstay of avant bass playing in the free jazz field since he first came to notice in the '60s. Beneath Tones Floor (No Business CD 20) finds him in good form and in excellent company on what is believed to be his last recording in the USA. It's a fully three-way trio session with the loquacious Oluyemi Thomas on bass clarinet, soprano, musette, etc., and Michael Wimberly on ...
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Oluyemi Thomas, Sirone and Michael Wimberly - Beneath Tones Floor (No Business, 2010)
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Music and More by Tim Niland
Combining the beauty of art, poetry and music this beautiful package (available as compact disc or LP) makes for a fitting send off for the great bassist Sirone who passed away not long after this recording was completed. Along with Sirone's deep and resonant bass, the musicians in this collective performance include Oluyemi Thomas on bass clarinet, flute, soprano, musette and percussion (he also composed the music) and Michael Wimberly on drums and percussion. Like the meditative poem that is ...
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Oluyemi Thomas, Sirone, Michael Wimberley - Beneath Tones Floor (Nobusiness, 2010) ****
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Free Jazz by Stef Gijssels
By Stef So far, I have only reviewed one CD, Nigeria, by saxophonist Oluyemi Thomas, and I praised it for its poetic power.That I have not reviewed many albums by him has more to do with his limited number of recordings than with the quality of his playing. Thomas, wo plays bass clarinet, flute, soprano, musette and percussion on this album is joined by the late Sirone on bass and Michael Wimberly on drums. As on Nigeria," the poetic power ...
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