Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 2 is an album by saxophonist Billy Harper recorded in 2006 and released in 2008 on the Talking House Records label.[1] It is part of the Blueprints of Jazz series conceived, produced and recorded by Talking House Productions[2] with an aim to expose the histories and current work of important but often lesser-known jazz players who had contributed to the sounds of jazz legends from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Production and recording of the albums was helmed by Talking House producers Marc Weibel and Stephen Smith[3][4][5][6]
| Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2008 | |||
| Recorded | August 8–10, 2006 | |||
| Studio | Talking House Productions | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Label | Talking House Records THR0810-019A | |||
| Producer | Marc Weibel, Stephen Smith | |||
| Billy Harper chronology | ||||
| ||||
Reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [7] |
In his review for AllMusic, Michael G. Nastos states "Certainly a celebration for fans of the 65-year-old Harper and a welcome addition to his potent discography, this CD represents him playing at an exceptionally high level, staying true to his spirit, and still making powerful music".[7] In JazzTimes Michael J. West wrote "The album is a tableau of Harper's spiritual jazz, bookended with Amiri Baraka poems on the music's evolution in both America and Africa. When it's on point, Blueprints is brilliant; when it's off, it just misses the mark".[8]
Track listing edit
All compositions by Billy Harper except where noted.
- "Africa Revisited" (Amiri Baraka, Billy Harper) – 16:45
- "Knowledge of Self" (Baraka, Harper) – 9:06
- "Another Kind of Thoroughbred" – 4:33
- "Thoughts and Slow Actions" – 5:37
- "Time and Time Again" – 5:14
- "Who Here Can Just Our Fates?" – 7:46
- "Amazing Grace" (Traditional) – 4:03
- "Cast the First Stone? (...If You Yourself Have No Sins)" – 12:26
- "Oh... If Only" (Baraka, Harper) – 6:14
Personnel edit
- Billy Harper – tenor saxophone, vocals
- Amiri Baraka – spoken word (tracks 1, 2 & 9)
- Keyon Harold – trumpet, French horn
- Charles McNeal – alto saxophone (tracks 5 & 8)
- Francesca Tanksley – piano
- Clarence Seay (tracks 1–6 & 8), Louie Spears (tracks: 1–3 & 5–9) – bass
- Aaron Scott – drums
References edit
- ^ Billy Harper – Blueprints of Jazz, Vol. 2 Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2022-08-10
- ^ "Talking House Productions | Inspired Music Creation and Development". 2009-02-06. Archived from the original on 2009-02-06. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ "www.jazzweekly.com | Reviews". 2009-08-31. Archived from the original on 2009-08-31. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ "Mike Clark, Billy Harper, Donald Bailey: Blueprints of Jazz". 2008-12-20. Archived from the original on 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ "CD Reviews – Jazz Society of Oregon". 2011-08-08. Archived from the original on 2011-08-08. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ "The Blade". The Blade. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ a b Nastos, Michael G.. Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 2 – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
- ^ West, M. J., JazzTimes Review, March 2009