Poem for Malcolm is a jazz album by Archie Shepp. Recorded in Paris in August 1969 only two days after Yasmina, a Black Woman, it again features musicians from the Art Ensemble of Chicago. This time, the tone is resolutely set to avant garde and free jazz, with a political edge in the all but explicit tribute to Malcolm X. The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow states: "This LP from the English Affinity LP is a mixed bag. Best is 'Rain Forrest' on which tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp, in a collaboration with trombonist Grachan Moncur III, pianist Vince Benedetti, bassist Malachi Favors, and drummer Philly Joe Jones, perform some stirring free jazz; the interplay between Shepp and Jones is particularly exciting. On a four-and-a-half minute 'Oleo,' Shepp "battles" some bebop with fellow tenor Hank Mobley, but the other two tracks, a workout for the leader's erratic soprano on 'Mamarose,' and his emotional recitation on 'Poem for Malcolm,' are much less interesting, making this a less than essential release despite 'Rain Forrest'."[2] It was originally issued on CD by Affinity (paired with Yasmina, a Black Woman) mastered from a vinyl source and later reissued by Charly (also paired with Yasmina, a Black Woman) from the original master tapes.

Poem for Malcolm
Studio album by
Released1969
RecordedAugust 14, 1969
(Paris, France)
GenreFree Jazz
LabelBYG Actuel
SNAP 162 CD (CD re-issue)
ProducerJean Georgakarakos, Jean-Luc Young
Archie Shepp chronology
Yasmina, a Black Woman
(1969)
Poem for Malcolm
(1969)
Blasé
(1969)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Track listing

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  1. "Mamarose" (Shepp) – 7:12
  2. "Poem for Malcolm" (Shepp) – 5:55
  3. "Rain Forrest/Oleo" (Shepp/Sonny Rollins) – 19:16
Recorded: Paris, August 14, 1969.

Personnel

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On "Rain Forrest/Oleo"

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On "Mamarose" and "Poem for Malcolm"

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References

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  1. ^ "Archie Shepp – Poem for Malcolm", Allmusic review.
  2. ^ Yanow, S. Allmusic review, accessed April 6, 2009.