| Black Stars | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 2001 | |||
| Recorded | March 16–17, 2001 | |||
| Studio | Systems Two, Brooklyn, NY | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 57:26 | |||
| Label | Blue Note | |||
| Producer | Greg Osby for Oztone Productions | |||
| Jason Moran chronology | ||||
| ||||
Black Stars is the third album led by American pianist and composer Jason Moran which features saxophonist Sam Rivers and was recorded in 2001 and released on the Blue Note label. [1] [2]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [3] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [4] |
The AllMusic review by Steve Loewy called it an "arguably his best" stating "Moran evidences an affinity for complicated snakelike post-bop lines and solo improvisations that get to the heart of a melody. His style is never showy; he embraces simple, emotional statements sophisticated in their mystery. Rivers' presence is a clear asset, and threatens to overwhelm the pianist at times. In fact, on some of the pieces it might appear that Rivers is the leader and Moran an excellent accompanist, a not unenviable position in itself. But Moran holds his own, evidencing a deep understanding of the jazz tradition that belies his youth. Moran keeps one eye on his influences and another to the future, something that Rivers has always done so well". [3]
The PopMatters review by James Beaudreau noted "It's a tantalizing lineup, and the album delivers on its promise, with a few caveats. The music is abstract and cerebral but is often possessed of a sinister groove, and many passages have a kind of crystalline beauty". [5]
All About Jazz reviewer C. Andrew Hovan said, "At a time when it seems that much of the current crop of new releases will have limited shelf lives at best, Moran’s music strikes a more profound chord ... All in all, this sleeper may just turn out to be one of the strongest Blue Note releases to make the scene in quite some time". [6]
In JazzTimes, Ron Wynn wrote "The 26-year-old Moran has resisted the easy lure of the young-lion mentality and concentrated on making highly personalized music. His teaming with Rivers on Black Stars ensures that it won’t be another trip down memory lane ... this is Moran’s album, even on those tunes where Rivers offers monster tenor or soprano solos. Moran’s never overwhelmed or undone by Rivers solos, and smoothly glides between being the session leader and retreating into the section". [7]
All compositions by Jason Moran except where noted
Samuel Carthorne Rivers was an American jazz musician and composer. He performed on soprano and tenor saxophones, bass clarinet, flute, harmonica and piano.
Jason Moran is an American jazz pianist, composer, and educator involved in multimedia art and theatrical installations.
Only Monk is the third album by Steve Lacy to be released on the Italian Soul Note label. It features solo performances of nine tunes written by Thelonious Monk by Lacy. It is the second solo album composed totally of Monk's compositions recorded by Lacy following Eronel (1979) and follows a tradition established on Lacy's second album Reflections (1958) and Epistrophy (1969).
Vertical Form VI is a live album by George Russell recorded in 1977 and released on the Italian Soul Note label in 1981, featuring a performance by the Swedish Radio Jazz Orchestra.
Contours is the second album by American saxophonist Sam Rivers recorded in 1965 and released on the Blue Note label. The CD reissue contains an alternate take as a bonus track.
A New Conception is the third album by American saxophonist Sam Rivers, recorded in 1966 and released on the Blue Note label. The album features Rivers' interpretation of seven jazz standards.
Maestro is an album by Brazilian composer Moacir Santos recorded in 1972 and released on the Blue Note label.
Colours is an album by American jazz saxophonist Sam Rivers featuring Winds of Manhattan, an 11-piece woodwind orchestra. The album was recorded in 1982 for the Italian Black Saint label. The album was composed with some sections of group improvisation. According to participant Steve Coleman, solo improvisations were omitted before the album's release to shorten the track times.
Streams is a live album by American jazz saxophonist Sam Rivers featuring performances recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1973 for the Impulse! label.
Waves is an album by American jazz saxophonist Sam Rivers featuring performances recorded in 1978 and released on the Tomato label.
Spirits is a double album by Keith Jarrett on which he does not perform solo piano, jazz standards or the kind of music he is usually known for. Instead he performs vocals, guitar, glockenspiel, soprano saxophone, recorder, piano, tabla, flutes and percussion on multiple tracks that were recorded at his home studio in New Jersey. It was released by ECM Records in 1986 and Jarrett dedicated it to his wife Rose Ann Colavito.
1st Bassman is an album by jazz bassist Paul Chambers, recorded at Bell Sound Studios on May 12, 1960 and released by the Vee-Jay label. This album is notable for its featured use of the acoustic bass as the lead instrument.
In the Name of... is an album by James Blood Ulmer's Music Revelation Ensemble, with guest saxophonist Sam Rivers, Arthur Blythe and Hamiet Bluiett, recorded in 1993 and released on the Japanese DIW label.
Small Ensemble Music (Wesleyan) 1994 is a live album by composer and saxophonist Anthony Braxton with a rotating group of musicians forming trios, a duo and sextet, recorded at Wesleyan University in 1994 and released on the Italian Splasc(H) label.
Ninetet (Yoshi's) 1997 Vol. 1 is a live album by composer and saxophonist Anthony Braxton with a ninetet, recorded at the Yoshi's in 1997 and released on the Leo label in 2002 as a double CD.
Soundtrack to Human Motion is the debut album led by American pianist and composer Jason Moran which was recorded in 1998 and released on the Blue Note label the following year.
Modernistic is the fourth album led by American pianist and composer Jason Moran and his first solo recording which was released on the Blue Note label in 2002.
The Bandwagon is a live album by pianist/composer Jason Moran recorded at the Village Vanguard in 2002 and released on the Blue Note label.
Artist in Residence is an album by pianist/composer Jason Moran recorded in 2006 and released on the Blue Note label. The album features compositions commissioned by the Walker Art Center, the Dia Art Foundation and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Clinkers is a live solo album by soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy which was released on the HatHut label in 1978.