Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Black Gold Orchestra: Genesis

Black Gold Orchestra: Genesis

By Jack Bowers
December 8, 2023
View read count

Two years after it was formed by drummer

Larry Wilson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Wilson in 2021, the impressive Atlanta, Georgia-based Black Gold Orchestra has released its debut album, Genesis, a handsome medley of original compositions by Wilson and saxophonist

Frank Houston

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Houston complementing others by

Cedar Walton

piano
1934 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Cedar Walton,

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver,

Charles Earland

organ, Hammond B3
1941 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Earland and OutKast (a.k.a. Andre Benjamin).

Even though the themes by Walton ("Firm Roots"), Silver ("Nutville") and Earland ("The Creation") are explicit highlights, Wilson's four compositions stand up well beside them, as does Houston's sumptuous "Intoxicating Beauty," on which his earnest tenor saxophone delivers the lone solo. There are three relatively brief interludes, starting with the opening "Gyau" (Walton's Call) for baritone saxophonist

Mike Walton

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Walton and including "In the Beginning" (Erik's Flow) for organist

Erik Miller

organ, Hammond B3

" data-original-title="" title="">Erik Miller, and "First Sight" (Kenny's Prelude) for pianist

Kenny Banks Jr

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Banks Jr

"Gyau" morphs seamlessly into the first of Walton's originals, the power-laden "On the Move" (solos by Walton on tenor saxophone, trumpeter & music director

Melvin Jones

trumpet
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Melvin Jones, Banks and Wilson), Jones' lively arrangement of "Firm Roots" (

Terrence Harper

" data-original-title="" title="">Terrence Harper , trumpet;

Christopher Burns

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Christopher Burns, trombone;

Derrick James

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Derrick James, alto saxophone) and Wilson's strapping "Midnight Oil" (Banks;

Michael Cruse

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Cruse, trumpet;

Rod Harris Jr.

" data-original-title="" title="">Rod Harris Jr., guitar). Earland's colorful "The Creation" (crisp solos by Miller and baritone saxophone

Jamel Mitchell

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Jamel Mitchell) is sandwiched between "In the Beginning" and "First Sight." Jones and alto saxophone Mike Burton share the spotlight on OutKast's lyrical "Prototype" and Wilson's animated "Release."

Wilson also wrote the fast-paced "Merging Lanes," and that leads to the irrepressible finale, Silver's "Nutville," which, according to the notes, was arranged by

Greg Hopkins

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Greg Hopkins and re-arranged by Wilson (presumably to include guest DJ Majestick's special effects, which blend respectably well). There are sharp solos by trombonist

Herman Spearman

" data-original-title="" title="">Herman Spearman, baritone saxophone Mitchell, bassist

Joel Powell

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Joel Powell and Wilson (who lets it all hang out) on "Lanes," and by Clay Benjamin (guitar) and Wilson (keyboards) on "Nutville."

It is always a pleasure to welcome a new jazz orchestra to the scene, especially one from the southern states—and even more so when it is as well-built and talented as the Black Gold Orchestra. Atlanta is blessed to have these gentlemen residing in its neighborhood.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Gyau (Walton��s Call); On the Move; Firm Roots; Midnight Oil; In the Beginning (Erik��s Flow); The Creation; First Sight (Kenny��s Prelude); Intoxicating Beauty; Prototype; Release; Merging Lanes; Nutville Remix.

Personnel

Black Gold Orchestra

band / ensemble / orchestra

Melvin Jones

trumpet

Additional Instrumentation

Michael Cruse, Terrence Harper, Steven Fowler: trumpet; Mike Walton, Frank Houston, Mike Burton, Derrick James, Jamel Mitchell, Fareed Maluhli: reeds; Wilbert Williams, Derrick White, Herman Spearman, Wilbert Neal, Christopher Burns, Derrick Jackson: trombone; Kenny Banks Jr.: piano; Erik Miller: organ; Rod Harris Jr.: guitar; Joel Powell: bass; Larry Wilson: drums, auxiliary percussion, keyboard (12); DJ Majestick: special effects (12).

Album information

Title: Genesis | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Bill Charlap Trio at the Treelawn Mu...
< Previous

Yo Miles, Jonas Hellborg, Tunnels, R...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.