''Life's Force'' is an album by trumpeter

Ahmed Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah (born Leroy Bland; May 10, 1946) is an American jazz trumpeter who was a prominent member of Sun Ra's band. Biography He began playing the trumpet at age 13 in his native New York City. One of the first groups he performed with wa ...

, listed simply as "Abdullah" on the cover. His debut as a leader, it was recorded at Blue Rock Studio in New York City, and was issued in 1979 by About Time Records as the label's inaugural release. On the album, Abdullah is joined by hornist

Vincent Chancey Vincent Chancey (born February 4, 1950) is an American jazz hornist. Early life and education Chancey was born and raised in Chicago. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the SIUC School of Music in 1973 and studied under Julius W ...

, cellist Muneer Abdul Fatah, vibraphonist

Jay Hoggard Jay Hoggard (born September 24, 1954) is an American jazz vibraphonist. Biography Jay Hoggard was raised in a religious family. He was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Mount Vernon, New York. His mother taught him how to play piano at a ...

, bassist

Jerome Hunter Jerome Hunter (born January 14, 1942) is an American jazz double-bassist. Personal life Jerome learned to play guitar in his youth but switched to stand-up bass at age 12, studying formally in both classical and jazz styles. He worked early in ...

, and drummer Rashied Sinan. In 1979, while Abdullah was music director of her dance company, "Life's Force" was choreographed by

Dianne McIntyre Dianne McIntyre (born July 18, 1946) is an American dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Her notable works include ''Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Dance Adventure in Southern Blues (A Choreodrama)'', an adaptation of Zora Neal Hurston's novel '' ...

, and the work was premiered at the Carver Center in San Antonio, Texas. McIntyre described it as "a dance music collaboration" in which "dancers become part of the band." She commented: "Ahmed Abdullah... developed the dance together along with the people in the company. For him 'Life's Force' celebrates the energy that takes people to higher consciousness. It's the inner spirit. There is a rhythmical source that keeps on throughout the whole piece. The pulse is still going even when the piece finishes." Following a performance of the work in New York City, Jennifer Dunning of ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' stated that it "stole the show," calling the music "vibrant" and "hard-pushing," and the choreography "full of invention."

Reception

In a review for

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

Scott Yanow Scott Yanow (born 1954) is an American jazz reviewer, historian, and author. Life and career Yanow was born in New York City and grew up near Los Angeles. Beginning in 1974, Yanow was a regular reviewer of many jazz styles and was the jazz e ...

called the album a "stimulating release," and praised Abdullah's "appealing tone" and "adventurous style." He wrote: "The unusual blend of colorful instruments is the prime reason to pick up this obscure LP." A writer for ''The Jazz Spot'' stated that the album "blends... a great amount of sophistication and harmony," and noted the "exploratory and adventurous virtues of a composer that gives great importance to the melodic aspects but also to details."

Track listing

"Assunta" composed by

Cal Massey Calvin "Cal" Massey (January 11, 1928 – October 25, 1972) was an American jazz trumpeter and composer. Early life Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, Massey studied trumpet under Freddie Webster, and following this played in ...

. Remaining tracks composed by Ahmed Abdullah. # "Eternal Spiraling Spirit" – 9:55 # "Assunta" – 6:02 # "Qhude" – 4:58 # "Song of Tenderness" – 6:10 # "A Long Time Black" – 10:23 # "Life's Force" – 8:04

Personnel

– trumpet *

– French horn * Muneer Abdul Fatah – cello *

– vibraphone *

– bass * Rashied Sinan – drums

References

{{authority control 1979 debut albums Ahmed Abdullah albums