Thursday 9 June 2011
ENCRYPTION: RONALD SHANNON JACKSON/VERNON REID/MELVIN GIBBS
Vernon Reid guitar, Melvin Gibbs bass, Ronald Shannon Jackson drums
Both guitarist Vernon Reid, widely known for his contributions to rock band Living Colour, and bass player Melvin Gibbs were members of Decoding Society. This group led by drummer/composer Ronald Shannon Jackson created an uproar in the 1980s with its amalgam of funk, rock and free jazz. The three musicians reunite for improvisations that breathe the spirits of Jackson’s revolutionary masters Albert Ayler and James Blood Ulmer. ‘Jackson is the master of every drum rhythm from march to free time’ (Village Voice).