The Third World Underground

Description

The Third World-Underground is the convergence of three singular musical voices: the nomadic imagination of Don Cherry, the deeply rooted lyricism in South African music of Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand), and the powerful saxophone of Carlos Ward. In 1972, when this album was recorded, Cherry and Ibrahim had already spent a decade redefining the notion of jazz by pushing its foundations to adopt a more global musical language. Don Cherry - who had helped revolutionize jazz alongside Ornette Coleman - is in constant search of new paths. Drawing inspiration from the traditional sounds of Turkey, India, Africa, and beyond, he develops a fluid and borderless approach that far exceeds the framework of his instrument, the trumpet, integrating voice, percussion, and collective improvisation into his work. Abdullah Ibrahim brings an equally deep sensitivity. A spiritual heir of Duke Ellington, shaped by the gospel of Cape Town, township jive, and the emotional weight of exile, he transforms the piano into an instrument capable of both celebration and lamentation. Having crossed paths for the first time in the mid-1960s, the three musicians share a deep mutual affinity that culminates in this concert. Recording under a name that reflects the growing decolonization movements of that time, the trio signs a borderless manifesto through seven intense tracks, including "Don's Song" and "Bra Joe From Kilimanjaro." The music unfolds like a continuous conversation: Ibrahim's cyclical piano motifs provide a perfect foundation for the improvisations of Cherry and Ward that soar and chant in ecstatic unison, collectively seeking new horizons. Recorded live in 1972 at Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen and initially released in Japan in 1974 on the jazz label Trio Records and its sub-label Nadja, the album has never been reissued on vinyl, gradually acquiring cult status among collectors and fans of Don Cherry and Dollar Brand. Free from conventions, The Third World-Underground remains a key work, deeply modern and human, whose resonance continues to reveal itself with each listen. Following the passing of Carlos Ward in January 2026 and the recent loss of Abdullah Ibrahim, this reissue powerfully testifies to the shared legacy left by these exceptional musicians and the ever-living echo of their artistic vision… This edition includes fully remastered sound, the original artwork, and a 4-page booklet containing new bilingual sleeve notes written by Jacques Denis.