Urban Griot
| Urban Griot | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | August 28, 2001 |
| Recorded | November 13, December 9, 2000 |
| Studio | Manhattan Center Studios, New York |
| Genre | Jazz |
| Label | Soundpost |
| Producer | Billy Taylor |
Urban Griot is an album by Billy Taylor, featuring tracks recorded in 2000 and released by Soundpost Records.
Recording and music[edit]
The album was recorded at Manhattan Center Studios, New York, on November 13 and December 9, 2000.[1] Pianist Taylor's trio for the recording contained bassist Chip Jackson and drummer Winard Harper.[2] The ten pieces were written as pedagogical material for the Wharton Center for Performing Arts at Michigan State University.[3] Some have melodies that use fourths; others are based on rhythms that would be familiar to students.[3] "Local Color / Can You Dig It?" uses rhythms similar to those found in hip hop; "Reclamation" is a waltz; and "Gracias Chucho" contains Latin rhythms.[3] One track, "Spoken", is a spoken-word dedication to a dead child.[2][4]
Taylor said that he regarded his role as an educator to be like that of a griot, explaining the album's title: "I am like an urban griot, bringing a sense of history and continuity to teaching music."[3]
Release and reception[edit]
Urban Griot was released by Soundpost on August 28, 2001.[3] The AllMusic reviewer concluded that, of the albums in Taylor's catalog, "this recording should be one of the first acquired".[4] The JazzTimes reviewer expressed admiration for Taylor's piano playing, but wrote that the spoken-word track "comes out like an awkward public-service announcement and breaks the vibe".[2]
Track listing[edit]
All compositions by Billy Taylor.
- "Local Color / Can You Dig It?" – 4:25
- "Reclamation" – 5:49
- "Gracias Chucho" – 2:54
- "Etude" – 4:06
- "Conversion" – 4:44
- "Spoken" – 1:38
- "In Loving Memory" – 6:13
- "Like a Heartbeat" – 4:16
- "Invention / Looking for Another Theme" – 5:35
- "Transformation" – 8:30
- "A Duke-ish Blues" – 5:52
Personnel[edit]
- Billy Taylor – piano
- Chip Jackson – bass
- Winard Harper – drums
References[edit]
- ^ Taylor, Billy (2001). Urban Griot (CD liner notes). Soundpost Records. SP3050-2.
- ^ a b c Carlson, Russell (October 1, 2001). "Billy Taylor Trio: Urban Griot". JazzTimes.
- ^ a b c d e Graybow, Steve (September 15, 2001). "Jazz Notes". Billboard. p. 56.
- ^ a b Dryden, Ken. "Billy Taylor: Urban Griot". AllMusic. Retrieved January 30, 2019.