The Black Ark is an album by American free jazz saxophonist Noah Howard recorded in New York City in 1969 for the Freedom label and was rereleased in 2007.[1][2]

The Black Ark
Studio album by
Released1972
Recorded1969
StudioBell Sound (New York City)
GenreFree jazz
Length40:34
LabelFreedom FLP 40105
ProducerAlan Bates and Noah Howard
Noah Howard chronology
Space Dimension
(1971)
The Black Ark
(1972)
Live at the Village Vanguard
(1972)

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]
Penguin Guide to Jazz     [4]
All About Jazz     [5]

The AllMusic review by Brandon Burke awarded the album 4 stars stating "While The Black Ark is not altogether different than his other records from this period, it presents Howard in a new setting with a number of interesting avant-garde players... Easily recommended for fans of the 1969 BYG/ESP free jazz scene".[3]

The Penguin Guide to Jazz nominated the album as part of its "Core Collection" of recommended jazz recordings.[4][6]

All About Jazz stated "By 1969, Howard was terrifyingly good: as a player, composer and bandleader. The four originals which make up The Black Ark—a mutant blues, a free jive samba, a cod-Japanese "ying-tong" melody and a wonderfully lyrical ballad—are catchy and hummable, at a time when most free jazz rejected tunes and structures".[5]

Track listing

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All compositions by Noah Howard

  1. "Domiabra" - 10:31
  2. "Ole Negro" - 8:49
  3. "Mount Fuji" - 15:31
  4. "Queen Anne" - 5:43

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ Noah Howard discography accessed October 28, 2014
  2. ^ Boweavil Recordings album entry, accessed October 28, 2014
  3. ^ a b Burke, B., Allmusic Review accessed October 28, 2014
  4. ^ a b Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2008) [1992]. "Noah Howard". The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). New York: Penguin. p. 730. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
  5. ^ a b May, C., All About Jazz Review, July 26, 2007
  6. ^ Penguin Guide to Jazz: Core Collection List, accessed October 28, 2014