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Jason Moran: Black Stars
The repertoire on Black Stars is in part a continuation of what Moran began with Facing Left. There’s another obscure Ellington cover ("Kinda Dukish," with the trio), another Jaki Byard cover ("Out Front," for solo piano), and a third installment in Moran’s ongoing "Gangsterism" series — this one called "Gangsterism on a River." Rivers is heard on tenor for the most part, although he plays flute and soprano on "Summit," flute alone on "The Sun at Midnight," and piano and flute on the closing "Sound It Out." The moods and tempos vary widely, and the excitement peaks on Rivers’s "Earth Song," a piece that appeared on the rare 1974 big band record Crystals. Moran’s own writing displays exceptional depth and creative range, from the meditative piano/tenor duo "Say Peace" to the relentless 6/8 of "Draw the Light Out," one of his most unusual pieces to date.
A remarkably mature offering from the 26-year-old Moran, and a must-hear for fans of Sam Rivers as well.
Track Listing
Foot Under Foot; Kinda Dukish; Gangsterism on a River; Earth Song; Summit; Say Peace; Draw the Light Out; Out Front; The Sun at Midnight; Skitter In; Sound It Out
Personnel
Jason Moran
pianoJason Moran - piano; Sam Rivers
Album information
Title: Black Stars | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Blue Note Records
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