Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Stefon Harris: Black Action Figure

213

Stefon Harris: Black Action Figure

By

Sign in to view read count
Stefon Harris: Black Action Figure
Deux! Stefon Harris’ second Blue Note release is every bit as satisfying as 1998’s Cloud of Red Dust. On the current Black Action Figure we are faced with a septet that includes and is produced by label mate and altoist Greg Osby and includes Steve Turre on the ‘bone. But make no mistake, Harris is not lost among all of these players. This is very much his recording. The originals here are angular wonders of compositions readily dispatched by Harris and his fine rhythm section and soloists. Gary Thomas furnishes a fluid flute on “Of Things to Come” while Turre shines on “Club Madness.” “The ballad “After the Day is Done” features some pensive playing by pianist Jason Moran and Harris himself pounds a contrapuntal “You Stepped Out of a Dream.”

If you are not a Milt Jackson snob and liked Harris’ first recording, do yourself the favor of buying this one. The first was no fluke.

Personnel

Stefon Harris
vibraphone

Album information

Title: Black Action Figure | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Blue Note

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.