Opening with the 18+ minute track of the same name, Archie Shepp’s The Magic of Ju-Ju takes on a fevered pace as the centerpiece of this date from 1968. Shepp lets loose from the beginning, as he’s joined by Beaver Harris, Norman Connor, Ed Blackwell, Frank Charles and Dennis Charles. The initial pace never dissipates throughout the length of the title track. The rest of the music on The Magic of Ju-Ju is a departure from the first track, sitting in a more traditional realm. The album is a valuable snapshot in time, highlighting Archie Shepp’s contribution to the space of spiritual and free jazz. Verve By Request Series features 180-gram vinyl, pressed at Third Man in Detroit.