Geri Allen - Twylight (1989)

Geri Allen's fifth recording overall, and second effort that features both acoustic and electric instruments, is a stunning display in merging basic natural and spiritual ideas with jazz, funk, soul, space, and tribal elements. Sticking with Metro-Detroit friends like drummer Tani Tabbal, bassist Jaribu Shahid, and percussionist Sadiq Bey and Eli Fountain, Allen's role as a musical sorceress was never more pronounced and uniquely realized. The music, part of her self-dubbed "Black Pool Project," is altogether punctuated by multi-ethnic percussion, while liquid, mercurial, and elusive modal melodies, extended by the fresh harmonic pianistics of Allen, sends this brand of jazz into a third dimension. Tracks like the funky, angular "Shadow Series" have an Asian flavor spiced by her feline synthesizer lines, "Wood" is slowed, very mysterious, and cave-dweller like, "Little Wind" darker and wispy, while "Black Pools" is a circus siren's song, wonderfully macabre and even bizarre. The definitive composition, "A Place of Power," has a memorable piano line plus Allen's brilliant solo sneaking around a light calypso funk expertly rendered by Tabbal. Equally outstanding in a different light, "Dream Time" perfectly represents its sequential title, as quirky, jumpy hooks with a surreal harmonic foundation allows for many layers of subtle rhythms from the percussionists, all cemented by the modal bass of Shahid. Then there's "When Kabuya Dances," a signature song for Allen, as her peaceful, thematic, reverent piano introduction speeds into full-flight fancy, and a kinetic pulse that is magnificent beyond compare. "Skin" showcases a repeat, off-minor theme, "Stop the World" is pure electronica and percussive, while the title track reflects the inexplicable daily shift of light to dark. This is a stunningly beautiful recording marking a distinct progression for Allen, and her complete awareness of the world at large. It might take several listenings to get used to, but the ultimate reward of this high artistic achievement is limitless, as are the possibilities of human endeavor on this Earth. ~ by Michael G. Nastos, AMG. 

Minor Music, MM 801014, 1989
Verve Records, 841 152-2, 1989
Recorded at Sound Ideas Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Geri Allen - Piano, Synthesizer (#2,4-8,11)
Jaribu Shahid - Acoustic Bass (#1-4,6-9,11)
Tani Tabbal - Drums (#1,3,6-9,11)
Sadiq Bey - Congas (#1,9), Djembe (#6), Percussion (#4,7,8,11)
Eli Fountain - Percussion (#7,8,11)
Clarice Taylor Bell - Vocals (#2,11) 

Tracks:
01. When Kabuya Dances (8:43)
02. Shadow Series (6:08)
03. Skin (1:45)
04. A Place Of Power (4:12)
05. Twylight (1:15)
06. Stop The World (4:08)
07. Wood (2:36)
08. Little Wind (4:26)
09. Dream Time (3:45)
10. Blue [Series II] (4:12)
11. Black Pools (4:29) 

All Compositions by Geri Allen 

Total Time: 45:43 

Credits:
Producer - Geri Allen
Engineer - Jon Rosenberg 

Info: https://www.jazzdisco.org/geri-allen/discography/

Geri Allen - Open On All Sides - In The Middle (1987)

Electric and acoustic pianist Geri Allen joins with fellow Detroiters for one of her more ambitious projects, offering a large ensemble featuring bassist Jaribu Shahid, drummer Tani Tabbal, soloists David McMurray and trumpeters Rayse Biggs and Marcus Belgrave, and New Yorkers as saxophonist Steve Coleman and trombonist Robin Eubanks. The tour de force "I Sang A Bright Green Tear For All Of Us This Year" is stunning, featuring the wonderful vocals of Shahida Nurullah, insistent rhythm, haunting refrains from Allen's keyboards, and shifting dynamics that are compelling. The rest of the material is not as innovative within a jazz-funk/M-Base framework, but contrasts her piano trio work. Not essential, but still an invigorating session. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Minor Music, CD MM 801013, 1987
Recorded December, 1986 At Sound Suite Recording Studio, Detroit, Michigan 

Musicians:
Geri Allen - Piano, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Racy Biggs - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Marcus Belgrave - Trumpet, Flugelhorn [Special Guest] (#8)
Robin Eubanks - Trombone
Steve Coleman - Alto Saxophone, Arranger [Horns] (#4)
David McMurray - Flugelhorn, Soprano Saxophone, Flute
Jaribu Shahid - Acoustic Bass
Tani Tabbal - Drums
Mino Cinelu - Percussion [Special Guest]
Shahita Nurallah - Lead Vocals
Lloyd Storey - Tap Dance [Special Guest] 

Tracks:
1. Open On All Sides / The Glide Was In The Ride... (6:49)
2. Forbidden Place (4:27)
3. The Dancer (2:36)
4. In The Middle (4:06)
5. Ray (4:23)
6. I Sang A Bright Green Tear For All Of Us This Year... (12:46)
7. Drummer's Song (2:29)
8. In The Morning [For Milton Nascimento] (5:05)
9. The Dancer Pt. 2 (1:34) 

All Compositions by Geri Allen 

Total Time: 44:15 

Credits:
Producer, Arranger, Composer - Geri Allen
Co-Producer - Steve Coleman
Executive-Producer - Stephan Meyner
Producer [Associate] - David McMurray, Mino Cinelu
Recording Engineer - Mike Brown
Mixing Engineer - Peter Denenberg
Design [Cover] - Christin Schindler, Claus Bäuerle
Photography - Jules Allen

Geri Allen Trio - The Printmakers (1984)

Geri Allen's 1984 debut as a leader is a far cry from her better-known releases. The pianist leads a trio with drummer Andrew Cyrille and bassist Anthony Cox through a set consisting of advanced original compositions. Her opener, "A Celebration of Life," initially focuses exclusively on Cyrille's mouth percussion (followed by a drum solo) before she and Cox make a belated entrance to turn it into a delightful African dance, cast in a post-bop setting. Her haunting tribute "Eric" (dedicated to the late Eric Dolphy) is a dissonant melody reminiscent of the compositions of Dolphy's associates Jaki Byard and Charles Mingus. "M's Heart" is another moving bittersweet ballad, building from a repeated motif into a tension-filled solo. "Printmakers" is yet another furious vehicle for the trio and a stimulating one. "Andrew" is an eerie, twisting theme featuring Cox's moody arco bass and Cyrille on tympani, accompanying Allen's mysterious ballad. Released by the European based label Minor Music, this brilliant CD unfortunately seems to have lapsed from print. This session will prove to be an ear-opening experience for those familiar with Geri Allen's more mainstream work. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG.

Minor Music, MINOR MUSIC 001, 1984
Minor Music, MM 8001, 1987
Recorded 8^th & 9^th February, 1984 At Tonstudio Zuckerfabrik, Stuttgart, Germany 

Musicians:
Geri Allen - Piano
Anthony Cox - Double Bass
Andrew Cyrille - Drums, Human Beatbox [Mouth Percussion], Timpani 

Tracks:
1. A Celebration Of All Life (6:21)
2. Eric [For Eric Dolphy] (5:33)
3. Running As Fast As You Can...TGTH (3:11)
4. M's Heart [In Memory Of Mrs. Barbara Jean Allen] (4:56)
5. Printmakers [Altosaxophonistic Poetic Type Printmakers] (8:09)
6. Andrew [For Andrew Cyrille] (4:27)
7. When Kayuba Dances (7:02)
8. D and V [For Daddy And Vernie] (2:00) 

All Compositions by Geri Allen

Total Time: 41:39

Credits:
Producer - Stephan Meyner
Recording & Mixing - Johannes Wohlleben
Cover Art & Photography - Christin Schindler