[5 Elements] - La Cigale, Paris - 11.11.98 -

Number of posts : 351 Localisation : Paris Registration date : 2006-04-03

Here is a review by Manfred Mayer

Quote :: Steve Coleman and Five Elements
11/11/98 La Cigale, Paris

The sound-quality of this recording is by far not yet as good as that of the later recordings. But it provides a precious impression of that special Five-Elements-band: The great conga-player Miguel "Angá" Diaz Zayas, Sean Rickman on drums and Anthony Tidd on e-bass create mighty, tight rhythms. Steve Coleman with his light and agile saxophone-voice is alone with this strong rhythm-section · no accord-instrument, no other melody-instrument.
After an introduction the second track starts up with a kind of ·Heavy Latin Funk Groove· to which Steve Coleman improvises throughout the whole tune. The heat and the imaginativeness of his playing prove themselves against the pressure of the rhythm-section and the audience is enthused. - In the fast third track the sounds become blurred a bit more. Nevertheless you can feel the tremendous drive and vehemence of this band. But during Anga Dias solo you can·t hear clearly how impressive his playing was.