Fire Music (Archie Shepp album)

Fire Music is a studio album by jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp released on Impulse! Records in 1965. "Malcolm, Malcolm Semper Malcolm" is dedicated to Malcolm X, whilst "Los Olvidados" is a homage to the 1950 film of the same name. Featured musicians include trumpeter Ted Curson, trombonist Joe Orange, alto saxophonist Marion Brown, bassist Reggie Johnson and drummer Joe Chambers.

Fire Music
Studio album by Archie Shepp
Released	September 1965[1]
Recorded	February 16 and March 9, 1965
Studio	Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Genre	Jazz
Length	40:30
Label	Impulse! A-86
Producer	Bob Thiele
Archie Shepp chronology
Four for Trane (1964) Fire Music (1965) On This Night (1965)
Alternative cover

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Down Beat	[3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[4]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[5]

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow states: "This particular early Archie Shepp recording has its strong moments, although it is a bit erratic... Overall, this set, even with its faults, is recommended".^[2]

Writing for All About Jazz, Robert Gilbert called Fire Music "an often-fascinating album, rich in compositional and improvisational prowess", and commented: "Shepp puts together a record that is both challenging and accessible to most listeners... Fire Music is an album that belongs in any serious jazz fan’s collection."^[6]

Track listing

1. "Hambone" (Archie Shepp) – 12:29
2. "Los Olvidados" (Shepp) – 8:54
3. "Malcolm, Malcolm - Semper Malcolm" (Shepp) – 4:48
4. "Prelude to a Kiss" (Ellington, Gordon, Mills) – 4:50
5. "The Girl from Ipanema" (DeMoraes, Gimbel, Jobim) – 8:36
6. "Hambone" [Live] – 11:53 Bonus track on CD, recorded live at the Village Gate on March 28, 1965

Personnel

• Archie Shepp – tenor saxophone, recitation on track 3
• Ted Curson – trumpet
• Joseph Orange – trombone
• Marion Brown – alto saxophone
• Reggie Johnson – double bass except track 3
• Joe Chambers – drums except track 3
• David Izenzon – double bass on track 3
• J.C. Moses – drums on track 3