Consecration

Charles Gayle's 'Consecration' is a profound and deeply spiritual jazz album, released on 28 December 1993 via the esteemed Black Saint label. This hour-long, seven-minute masterpiece is a testament to Gayle's innovative and expressive approach to music.

The album's six tracks, comprising 'O Father', 'Rise Up', 'Justified', 'Glorious Saints', 'Thy Peace', and 'Redemption', showcase Gayle's mastery of multiple genres, seamlessly blending free jazz, avant-garde, hard bop, and traditional jazz elements. The result is a rich and dynamic soundscape that is both challenging and rewarding.

Throughout 'Consecration', Charles Gayle's unique vision and technical prowess are on full display, making for a compelling and emotionally charged listening experience. With its intense passion and unbridled creativity, this album is sure to resonate with fans of experimental and avant-garde music, as well as those seeking a deeper understanding of the jazz tradition. 'Consecration' is a powerful statement from a visionary artist, and its influence can still be felt today.

Charles Gayle was a titan of free jazz, renowned for his fierce and unruly sound on the tenor saxophone. Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1939, Gayle's musical journey was as tumultuous and captivating as the city streets that inspired his music. He spent decades honing his craft in obscurity, even living and performing on the streets of New York before gaining prominence in the 1990s. Gayle's music was a raw, visceral reaction to the urban landscape, with his saxophone evoking the rumble of subway cars, the hiss of buses, and the wail of sirens. His performances were not just concerts but spiritual experiences, steeped in the rich history of African and African American music. A multi-instrumentalist, Gayle also excelled on piano, bass clarinet, bass, and percussion. His uncompromising artistry and deeply spiritual outlook made him an iconic figure in the downtown New York City jazz scene. Gayle's legacy endures as one of the greatest free jazz saxophonists of the last half-century.

Consecration

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