Home »
Jazz Articles » Album Review » Paul Jackson: Black Octopus
Paul Jackson: Black Octopus
Singer/bassist Paul Jackson likes variety in what he does. Like the inference in his opening track’s title, “Many Directions,” this project moves in many directions all at once. It’s fusion. A strong bassist and enjoyable singer, Jackson employs a fusion of R&B, funk, disco, electronic “outer space” music and a little avant-garde jazz. Originally issued in 1978, Jackson’s debut album features a soulful 5-piece band swinging in a mood representative of that era. Paul Jackson and Bennie Maupin were founding members of the Headhunters. Here, they’re joined by spirited electric guitar and lightweight percussion to paint a picture of emotional good times. The project, which includes four bonus tracks, features Jackson’s singing, his throbbing fuzz electric bass, and a pertinent electric piano. Highly emotional, nostalgic and fusing 1970’s dance music with jazzier moods, Jackson’s project portrays a specific character. It’s a time capsule for those who miss the good old days.
Track Listing
Many Directions; Eight Ways of Love; Funk Times Three; Burning in the Heat (of Your Love); Tiptoe Through the Ghetto; T-Bolt; A Little Love
Personnel
Paul Jackson- acoustic bass, electric bass, vocal, acoustic piano, clavinet, synth; Webster Lewis- organ; Bennie Maupin- tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Ray Obiedo- guitar; Alphonse Mouzon- drums.
Album information
Title: Black Octopus
| Year Released: 2000
| Record Label: Platform Recordings
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Support All About Jazz
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make 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.
Go Ad Free!
To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to
future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves 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.
