Afro/American Sketches


Afro/American Sketches is a jazz album by Oliver Nelson recorded in late 1961 and released in 1962. It is his first big band album as a leader.
In a June 7, 1962, review for Down Beat magazine jazz critic Richard B. Hadlock said this of Nelson: "In his penchant for melodic simplicity and inner complexity he is close to the secret of Duke Ellington's most enduring scores, and in his thick linear voicing there are echoes of Gil Evans at his best."

Track listing

All tracks composed by Nelson.
  1. "Message" – 5:56
  2. "Jungleaire" – 6:33
  3. "Emancipation Blues" – 8:11
  4. "There's a Yearnin'" – 4:24
  5. "Going Up North" – 6:11
  6. "Disillusioned" – 5:36
  7. "Freedom Dance" – 4:39
''Recorded on September 29 and November 10, 1961.''

Personnel

Tracks 2, 5
Tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7