Archie Shepp "For Losers", Impulse 1971

Archie Shepp is probably most known for his free-Jazz association, mainly for works with Cecil Taylor and John Coltrane in 1960s and albums from Impulse. As a leader, he started releasing albums from Impluse with fellow avant-garde artists such as John Tchikai, and Roswell Rudd. He also appeared on John Coltrane's "Ascension" in 1965, which was one of the most up-front free-Jazz, and one of my personal favorite recordings. But gradually, maybe from "The Magic of Ju-Ju" in 1967, he began to incorporate different sounds, as for this session the African rhythm. Other styles of music including gospel, ballad, blues, and even swing ("The Way Ahead" in 1968)

This is Archie Shepp "For Losers", released by Impulse in 1971. If you expect to hear his usual eccentric improvisation, anger, chaotic wailing, the first track is going to make you wonder whether you got the right album from the same person. The opening track is going completely to trick you. It is soul-Jazz, with vocals. Then the album follows with another soulful, R&B track.

This could turn the listeners who have listened his past albums away from listening the entire album. But wait and turn the record over to Side B. The 22-min track starts with latin-afro rhythm and Shepp playing the theme over and over, and then goes into the exploration of sound, the firing solo, and ensemble with female vocal. The B-side is definitely the reminiscent of Coltrane sound. In the album liner note, he states his admiration and respect to Coltrane. Side B is does not dissapoint any listners for Impulse recordings and free-Jazz.

Side A
1. Stick 'Em Up
2. Abstract
3. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
4. What Would It Be Without You

Side B
1. Un Croque Monsieur (Poem: For Losers)

Personnel:
On Stick 'Em Up:
Archie Shepp - Tenor Sax
Martin Banks - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Grachan Moncur - Trombone
Martin Kenyatta - Alto Sax
Andrew Bey - Piano
Albert Winston - Fender Bass
Bert Payne - Guitar
Beaver Harris - Drums
Leon Thomas, Doris Troy, Tasha Thomas - Vocals

On Abstract:
Archie Shepp - Tenor Sax
Jimmy Owens - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Grachan Moncur - Trombone
James Spaulding - Alto Sax
Chales Davis - Baritone Sax
Dave Burrell - Organ
Wally Richardson - Guitar
Bob Bushnell - Fender Bass
Bernard Purdie - Drums

On I got It Bad, What Would It Be Without You, Un Croque Monsieur
Archie Shepp - Tenor and Soprano Sax
Woody Shaw - Trumpet
Matthew Gee - Trombone
Clarence Sharpe - Alto Sax
Cecil Payne - Baritone Sax
Cedar Walton - Piano
Wilbur Ware - Bass
Joe Chambers - Drums
China-Lin Sharpe - Vocal