Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 2

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

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 (2008) The Roots of the Blues (2013)

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 where noted.

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

1. Billy Harper discography accessed May 5, 2015
2. Nastos, Michael G.. Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 2 – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
3. West, M. J., JazzTimes Review, March 2009