"Avant-gutbucket" was one label applied to guitarist James "Blood" Ulmer's nearly unclassifiable mix of harmolodic jazz, blues, and funk. On Odyssey, the 1983 album that is perhaps his greatest, those elements make for an inspired, inspiring disc that alternates between vocals inspired by Muddy Waters ("Little Red House," Ulmer's signature "Are You Glad to Be in America?") and soaring instrumental showcases ("Love Dance"). The latter make particularly good use of the unique guitar-violin-drums lineup. The "experimental" tag might have damaged the commercial chances of this music, but it's never too late for you to catch up with this assured, endlessly appealing sound. --Rickey Wright
Odyssey,James Blood Ulmer,Sony,Avant-Garde Jazz,Crossover Jazz,Free Funk,Free Improvisation,Jazz,Jazz Music,Modal Music,Pop,Violin
Jazz Music:
- opal
- Piano Works II - Ringing the Luminator
- Prayer to the East
- Quintet/Sextet [Gold CD]
- Recollections
- Reflections
- Samba Do Aviao: a Jazz Tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim [Import]
- Sentimental Swing: All Star Dance
- Solar Heat
- Soulful Strut
Jazz Music
Kodaly: Missa Brevis; Janacek: Mass in Ef
Lullabies from the Axis of Evil
Joaquín Rodrigo: Three Guitar Concertos
Mother's Milk [Explicit Lyrics] [Original recording remastered]
Los #1 Nortenos [Original recording remastered]