''Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 2'' is an album by saxophonist

Billy Harper Billy Harper (born January 17, 1943) is an American jazz saxophonist, "one of a generation of John Coltrane, Coltrane-influenced tenor saxophonists" with a distinctively stern, hard-as-nails sound on his instrument.Chris KelseyBilly Harper Biogr ...

recorded in 2006 and released in 2008 on the

Talking House Records Talking may refer to: * Speech, the product of the action of ''to talk'' * Communication by spoken words; conversation or discussion Other uses * Talking (The Rifles song), "Talking" (The Rifles song), 2007 * Talking (A Flock of Seagulls song), " ...

label. It is part of the ''Blueprints of Jazz'' series conceived, produced and recorded by Talking House Productions with an aim to expose the histories and current work of important but often lesser-known jazz players who had contributed to the sounds of jazz legends from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Production and recording of the albums was helmed by Talking House producers Marc Weibel and Stephen Smith

Reception

In his review for

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

, Michael G. Nastos states "Certainly a celebration for fans of the 65-year-old Harper and a welcome addition to his potent discography, this CD represents him playing at an exceptionally high level, staying true to his spirit, and still making powerful music". In

JazzTimes ''JazzTimes'' is an American magazine devoted to jazz. Published 10 times a year, it was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1970 by Ira Sabin as the newsletter ''Radio Free Jazz'' to complement his record store. Coverage After a decade of growth ...

Michael J. West wrote "The album is a tableau of Harper's

spiritual jazz Spiritual jazz (or astral jazz) is a sub-genre of jazz that originated in the United States during the 1960s. The genre is hard to characterize musically but draws from free, avant-garde and modal jazz and thematically focuses on transcendence ...

, bookended with Amiri Baraka poems on the music's evolution in both America and Africa. When it's on point, ''Blueprints'' is brilliant; when it's off, it just misses the mark".West, M. J.
JazzTimes Review
March 2009

Track listing

All compositions by Billy Harper except where noted. # "Africa Revisited" (Amiri Baraka, Billy Harper) – 16:45 # "Knowledge of Self" (Baraka, Harper) – 9:06 # "Another Kind of Thoroughbred" – 4:33 # "Thoughts and Slow Actions" – 5:37 # "Time and Time Again" – 5:14 # "Who Here Can Just Our Fates?" – 7:46 # "

Amazing Grace "Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn published in 1779 with words written in 1772 by English Anglican clergyman and poet John Newton (1725–1807). It is an immensely popular hymn, particularly in the United States, where it is used for both ...

" (Traditional) – 4:03 # "Cast the First Stone? (...If You Yourself Have No Sins)" – 12:26 # "Oh... If Only" (Baraka, Harper) – 6:14

Personnel

–

tenor saxophone The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor and the alto are the two most commonly used saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B (while th ...

, vocals *

Amiri Baraka Amiri Baraka (born Everett Leroy Jones; October 7, 1934 – January 9, 2014), previously known as LeRoi Jones and Imamu Amear Baraka, was an American writer of poetry, drama, fiction, essays and music criticism. He was the author of numerous bo ...

–

spoken word Spoken word refers to an oral poetic performance art that is based mainly on the poem as well as the performer's aesthetic qualities. It is a late 20th century continuation of an ancient oral artistic tradition that focuses on the aesthetics of ...

(tracks 1, 2 & 9) *Keyon Harold – trumpet, French horn *Charles McNeal –

alto saxophone The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments. Saxophones were invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. The alto saxophone is pitched in E, smaller than the B tenor ...

(tracks 5 & 8) *Francesca Tanksley – piano *

Clarence Seay Clarence Seay (born January 7, 1957, Washington, DC) is a jazz bassist and composer. He has been an acoustic bassist with the Wallace Roney Quintet for over 15 years. Seay, also known as "Big C", is a disciple of the Paul Chambers school of ja ...

(tracks 1–6 & 8), Louie Spears (tracks: 1–3 & 5–9) – bass * Aaron Scott – drums

References

{{Authority control 2008 albums Billy Harper albums