Odyssey (James Blood Ulmer album)

Odyssey
Studio album by James Blood Ulmer
Released	April 1984
Recorded	March–May 1983
Genre	Jazz
Label	Columbia
Producer	James Blood Ulmer
James Blood Ulmer chronology
Black Rock (1982) Odyssey (1983) Live at the Caravan of Dreams (1986)

Odyssey is an album by American guitarist James Blood Ulmer, recorded in 1983 and released on the Columbia label.^[1] It was Ulmer's final of three albums recorded for a major label. The musicians on this album later re-united as The Odyssey Band and Odyssey The Band.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Steve Huey awarded the album 5 stars and stated "Odyssey stands as James Blood Ulmer's signature masterpiece, the purest and most accessible showcase for his bold, genre-clashing guitar vision... All the pieces come together to produce not only Ulmer's finest album, but a certified classic of the modern jazz avant-garde". The album was listed as part of a suggested "core collection" by the Penguin Guide to Jazz.^[2]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]
Penguin Guide to Jazz	[3]
Robert Christgau	(A)[4]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[5]

Track listing

All compositions by James "Blood" Ulmer

1. "Church" – 4:54
2. "Little Red House" – 4:45
3. "Love Dance" – 5:05
4. "Are You Glad to Be in America?" – 3:40
5. "Election" – 3:26
6. "Odyssey" – 5:01
7. "Please Tell Her" – 4:10
8. "Swing & Things" – 4:32

• Recorded at the Power Station, New York in March–May 1983

Personnel

• James "Blood" Ulmer – guitar, vocals
• Charles Burnham – violin
• Warren Benbow – drums

References

1. James "Blood" Ulmer discography accessed July 12, 2010
2. Cook R., Morton B. (2006). Penguin Guide to Jazz, 8th ed. London: Penguin Books, p, 1314.
3. Huey, S. Allmusic Review accessed January 29, 2013
4. Christgau, R. Consumer Guide accessed January 29, 2013
5. Swenson, J. (Editor) (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 197. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.