Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 2

Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 2
Studio album by Billy Harper
Released	2008
Recorded	August 8-10, 2006
Genre	Jazz
Label	Talking House THR0810-019A
Billy Harper chronology
Soul of an Angel (1999) Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 2 (2006) The Roots of the Blues (2013)

Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 2 is an album by saxophonist Billy Harper recorded in 1997 and released on the Talking House label.^[1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]

In his review for AllMusic, 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".^[2] In JazzTimes Michael J. West wrote "The album is a tableau of Harper’s spiritual jazz, 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".^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Billy Harper except as indicated

1. "Africa Revisited" (Amiri Baraka, Billy Harper) - 16:45
2. "Knowledge of Self" (Baraka, Harper) - 9:06
3. "Another Kind of Thoroughbred" - 4:33
4. "Thoughts and Slow Actions" - 5:37
5. "Time and Time Again" - 5:14
6. "Who Here Can Just Our Fates?" - 7:46
7. "Amazing Grace" (Traditional) - 4:03
8. "Cast the First Stone? (...If You Yourself Have No Sins)" - 12:26
9. "Oh... If Only" (Baraka, Harper) - 6:14

Personnel

• Billy Harper - tenor saxophone, vocals
• Amiri Baraka - spoken word (tracks 1, 2 & 9)
• Keyon Harold - trumpet, French horn
• Charles McNeal - alto saxophone (tracks 5 & 8)
• Francesca Tanksley - piano
• Clarence Seay (tracks 1-6 & 8), Louie Spears (tracks: 1-3 & 5-9) - bass
• Aaron Scott - drums

References