Picks of the Week: December 3, 2007
Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Ensemble
“Black Unstoppable” (Delmark, 2007)
Nicole Mitchell (fl), David Boykin (ts, perc), David Young (tp, flug), Jeff Parker (g), Tomeka Reid (cello), Justin Dillard (p), Josh Abrams (b), Marcus Evans (dr), Ugochi Nwaogwugwu (vocals)
Mixing a blend of modern avant-garde jazz, post-bop, Sun Ra-esque mystical improvisation, and artful, soulful vocals, Nicole Mitchell solidifies her reputation of one of the jazz world’s most respected, innovative, and inspiring performers. From bluesy, toe-tapping grooves to chaotic whirlwinds of sound to gentle yet rarely predictable explorations, Mitchell and company cover an impressive amount of territory on this release. However, this album is just as much about the Black Earth Ensemble as it is about Mitchell herself, which features a blend of established and expected Chicago regulars and more unexpected improvisational voices. Perhaps the most noteworthy of such collaborators on this release is local guitar stalwart Jeff Parker, who can go the “Grant Green/Wes Montgomery” or “Sonny Sharrock/James ‘Blood’ Ulmer” route when needed.
- Mike Szajewski, WNUR Jazz