| Facing Left | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 27, 2000 | |||
| Recorded | January 15 & 16, 2000 | |||
| Studio | Systems Two, Brooklyn, NY | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 56:49 | |||
| Label | Blue Note | |||
| Producer | Greg Osby for Oztone Productions | |||
| Jason Moran chronology | ||||
| ||||
Facing Left is the second album led by American pianist and composer Jason Moran which was recorded in 2000 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 David R. Adler said "It's no easy task following up a brilliant debut like Soundtrack to Human Motion, but pianist Jason Moran does admirably well with this effort". [3]
All About Jazz reviewer Jim Santella said, "Jason Moran has sidestepped the critics with his modern mainstream approach that blends in elements from all over the spectrum ... Moran’s second album ignores the critics. Rather than display lingering, romantic melodies on his sleeve, the pianist has chosen to continue with what he does best. Like his early influence Thelonious Monk and his teachers Jaki Byard & Richard Muhal Abrams, Jason Moran applies a considerable amount of energy to each piece. That force tends to weave several lines at once, while involving his bassist and drummer in every aspect. Together, they explore and come up with unpredictable displays every time". [5]
In JazzTimes , Peter Margasak wrote "it’s impossible not to view him as one of the most striking originals to emerge in jazz in years. With rare technical assurance and a bold sense of vision, Moran has made a record for the ages". [6]
All compositions by Jason Moran except where noted
John Arthur "Jaki" Byard was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger. Mainly a pianist, he also played tenor and alto saxophones, among several other instruments. He was known for his eclectic style, incorporating everything from ragtime and stride to free jazz.
Jason Moran is an American jazz pianist, composer, and educator involved in multimedia art and theatrical installations.
The Jaki Byard Experience is an album by jazz pianist Jaki Byard, originally released on the Prestige label in 1968, featuring performances by Byard with Roland Kirk, Richard Davis and Alan Dawson.
To Them – To Us is an album of solo piano performances by the American jazz pianist Jaki Byard recorded in 1981 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.
Improvisations is an album of piano duets by the American jazz pianists Ran Blake and Jaki Byard recorded in 1981 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.
Phantasies is an album by the American jazz pianist Jaki Byard with the Apollo Stompers, recorded in 1984 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.
Foolin' Myself is an album of trio performances by the American jazz pianist Jaki Byard recorded in 1988 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.
Phantasies II is an album by the American jazz pianist Jaki Byard with the Apollo Stompers, recorded in 1988 and released on the Italian Soul Note label. The album follows Byard's big band tributes album Phantasies (1984).
Hi-Fly is an album by pianist Jaki Byard recorded in 1962 and released on the New Jazz label.
Out Front! is an album by pianist Jaki Byard recorded in 1964 and released on the Prestige label.
A Matter of Black and White is a live album of solo performances by American jazz pianist Jaki Byard recorded in 1978 and 1979 and released on the HighNote label.
The Late Show: An Evening with Jaki Byard is a solo performance by American jazz pianist Jaki Byard recorded in 1979 and released as a live album on the HighNote label in 2014.
Sunshine of My Soul: Live at the Keystone Korner is an album of a live solo performance by American jazz pianist Jaki Byard recorded in 1978 and released as a CD on the HighNote label in 2007.
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.
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.
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.
Same Mother is the sixth album by American pianist and composer Jason Moran which was released on the Blue Note label in 2005.
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.
Ten is the eighth album by American pianist and composer Jason Moran, celebrating a decade of his trio The Bandwagon, which was released on the Blue Note label in 2010.
