| Big Gurl (Smell My Dream) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2011 | |||
| Recorded | February 21, 2011 | |||
| Studio | Systems Two Studio, Brooklyn | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 46:46 | |||
| Label | AUM Fidelity | |||
| Producer | Darius Jones, Steven Joerg | |||
| Darius Jones chronology | ||||
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Big Gurl (Smell My Dream) is an album by American jazz saxophonist Darius Jones, which was recorded in 2011 and released on the AUM Fidelity label. Big Gurl is a new character in the Man'ish Boy universe created by Jones and graphic artist Randal Wilcox.
The album features Jones' regular working trio with bassist Adam Lane and drummer Jazon Nazary. This was the second chapter in an autobiographical conceptual project that began with his debut, Man'ish Boy (A Raw & Beautiful Thing) . Big Gurl takes inspiration from his years of study, experimentation and self-discovery at university in Richmond, VA where he began the search for his own voice. The record is dedicated to George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic. "A Train" is based on Billy Strayhorn jazz standard "Take the 'A' Train". "Ol' Metal-Face Bastard" is an homage to underground hip-hop performers MF Doom and Ol' Dirty Bastard. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Down Beat |   [2] |
The Down Beat review by Alain Drouot states "Jones strikes hard from the onset and eschews conventions by developing over an insistent groove multifaceted choruses articulated around probing lines that open many avenues. Elsewhere, Lane and Nazary can lay out intricate backdrops that spur the saxophonist and encourage him to constantly look for ways to add a new dimension to his playing." [2]
The All About Jazz review by Troy Collins says "Fulfilling (and exceeding) expectations, Big Gurl (Smell My Dream) is a rightfully compelling follow-up to his stunning debut. With another installment already in the works, Jones has set the stage for a winning series of albums designed to document his rise as one of the most impressive and unique voices of our time." [3]
In another review for All About Jazz, John Sharpe states "Jones develops his ideas excitingly, delivering impassioned invective in a hoarse throaty dialect. He utilizes the full range of his alto, from keening ululations to lowing textures, via controlled harmonics." [4]
In his review for JazzTimes Carlo Wolff notes that "this tight-knit group knows its way around free-form jazz, funk, even metal.. Still, this music swings on a foundation built of the blues, with Jones’ smears and mild vibrato underlining its vocal quality." [5]
William Parker is an American free jazz double bassist. Beginning in the 1980s, Parker played with Cecil Taylor for over a decade, and he has led the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra since 1981. The Village Voice named him "the most consistently brilliant free jazz bassist of all time" and DownBeat has called him "one of the most adventurous and prolific bandleaders in jazz".
AUM Fidelity is an independent record label in New York City primarily devoted to avant-garde jazz artists such as William Parker, Matthew Shipp, and David S. Ware. It has also released recordings by improvisational rock band Shrimp Boat and exclusively distributes the CaseQuarter and Riti labels. It was founded in 1997 by former Homestead Records label manager Steven Joerg.
Indeed! is the debut album by America jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan, recorded on November 4, 1956 and released on Blue Note later that year. The quintet features saxophonist Clarence Sharpe and rhythm section Horace Silver, Wilbur Ware and Philly Joe Jones.
Transonic is the debut album by American jazz drummer Whit Dickey, which was recorded in 1997 and released on AUM Fidelity. For his first record as leader, Dickey went into the studio with long-time associate, saxophonist Rob Brown, and then relative newcomer to the scene, bassist Chris Lightcap. He notes that many of the cuts were inspired by two Thelonious Monk compositions, "Off Minor" & "Criss Cross", along with the magic of tenor saxophonist David S. Ware.
Essence of Ellington is a double live album by bassist and composer William Parker's Orchestra, which was recorded in Italy in 2012 and released on the Centering label. The album features new arrangements of songs written by or associated with Duke Ellington in addition to new songs by Parker.
Crown Trunk Root Funk is an album by American jazz saxophonist Rob Brown recorded in 2007 and released on the AUM Fidelity label. He leads the Rob Brown Ensemble, which includes pianist Craig Taborn, bassist William Parker and drummer Gerald Cleaver. The group was initially formed for a performance at the 2006 Vision Festival.
Unknown Skies is an album by American jazz saxophonist Rob Brown which was recorded live at 2010 Sons d'Hiver Festival in the suburbs of Paris, and released on the French RogueArt label. He leads a trio with pianist Craig Taborn and drummer Nasheet Waits. The group performed before at the 2009 Vision Festival. Brown thought the idea of such a trio, similar to the one which he formed on arriving New York in the mid-eighties with Matthew Shipp and Frank Bambara and took the name of Right Hemisphere, later a quartet for the eponymous album.
Turn is an album by American jazz saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell which was recorded in 2005 and released on the French RogueArt label. He leads a new quintet with longtime rhythm section Jaribu Shahid on bass and Tani Tabbal on drums, pianist Craig Taborn and new Art Ensemble of Chicago trumpeter Corey Wilkes.
Wildlife is an album by American jazz musician Joe Morris, which was recorded in 2008 and released on the AUM Fidelity label. It was the debut recording by a new group featuring saxophonist Petr Cancura and drummer Luther Gray. Morris plays bass instead of guitar.
Today on Earth is an album by American jazz guitarist Joe Morris, which was recorded in 2009 and released on the AUM Fidelity label. It was the second recording after Beautiful Existence by his quartet with alto saxophonist Jim Hobbs, bassist Timo Shanko and drummer Luther Gray.
Live at Jazzfestival Saalfelden 2011 is an album by American jazz saxophonist David S. Ware released on the AUM Fidelity label. It documents the second live performance by Ware's band Planetary Unknown following its world premiere at Vision Festival 16 in New York.
Darius Jones is an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer.
Man'ish Boy is the debut album by American jazz saxophonist Darius Jones, which was recorded in 2009 and released on the AUM Fidelity label. The cover art is a three-piece commission by Randal Wilcox entitled Portrait of a Man'ish Boy.
Cosmic Lieder is an album by American jazz saxophonist Darius Jones and pianist Matthew Shipp, which was recorded in 2010 and released on the AUM Fidelity label. This 13-part song cycle was the first collaboration between Jones and Shipp.
Book of Mæ'bul is an album by American jazz saxophonist Darius Jones, which was recorded in 2011 and released on the AUM Fidelity label. Book of the Mæ'bul is the third chapter in the Man'ish Boy series created by Jones and graphic artist Randal Wilcox. The album features his working quartet with pianist Matt Mitchell, bassist Trevor Dunn and drummer Ches Smith.
Grass Roots is the eponymous debut album by the free jazz collective quartet consisting of Sean Conly on bass, Alex Harding on baritone sax, Darius Jones on alto sax and Chad Taylor on drums. It was recorded in 2011 and released on the AUM Fidelity label.
The Darkseid Recital is an album by American jazz saxophonist Darius Jones and pianist Matthew Shipp, which was recorded live between 2011 and 2013 and released on the AUM Fidelity label. It was their second duo following Cosmic Lieder. The record is named for the character Darkseid created by comic artist Jack Kirby, and song titles reference concepts and characters from Kirby's New Gods series and other DC Comics.
Refraction – Breakin' Glass is an album by Trio 3, a jazz group consisting of saxophonist Oliver Lake, bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Andrew Cyrille, with guest pianist Jason Moran. It was recorded in 2012 and released by Intakt Records.
Numbers is an album by American jazz saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell, which was recorded in between 2003 and 2010 and released on the French RogueArt label.
Jason Nazary is an American jazz and improvisational musician. He was born in Aviano, Italy, while his father was in the US military, and grew up in the Atlanta, Georgia area. In 2002, he played in Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead concerts at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. He moved to New York City in 2005, and, as of 2019, he is based in Brooklyn, New York.