Afrika Rising Explained

Afrika Rising
Type:	studio
Longtype:	/ Live album
Artist:	Nicole Mitchell
Cover:	Afrika_Rising_cover.jpeg
Released:	2002
Recorded:	(1–4) January 13, 2002 (10) March 31, 2002 (5) November 9, 1999 (6–9) June 4, 2002 (11) April 20, 2002
Studio:	(1–4) HotHouse, Chicago (10) Truckstop Studios, Chicago (5) Chicago Cultural Center (6–9) Southport Studios, Chicago (11) Velvet Lounge, Chicago
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	59:29
Label:	Dreamtime
Producer:	Nicole Mitchell
Chronology:	Nicole Mitchell
Prev Title:	Vision Quest
Prev Year:	2001
Next Title:	Hope, Future and Destiny
Next Year:	2004

Afrika Rising is an album by jazz flautist Nicole Mitchell with her group Black Earth Ensemble. It was released in 2002 by Dreamtime, Mitchell's own label.^[1]

Reception

The Exclaim! review by David Dacks says "Afrika Rising builds on Mitchell's successful debut, Vision Quest, a year ago and is forward-thinking jazz that swings like crazy."^[2] JazzTimes wrote: "The music is deeply informed by African rhythm and counterpoint as well as by big-band jazz of both the classic and eccentric (à la Sun Ra) varieties. Mitchell uses many voices masterfully, none more so than her own".^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Nicole Mitchell except where noted.

1. "Afrika Rising Mvmt I: The Ancient Power Awakens" – 8:34
2. "Afrika Rising Mvmt II: Metemorphosis" – 7:33
3. "Afrika Rising Mvmt III: Intergalactic Healing" – 5:39
4. "Peaceful Village Town" – 5:17
5. "Emerging Light" – 0:53
6. "Umoja (intro)" – 1:01
7. "Umoja" – 5:42
8. "Bluerise" – 10:49
9. "Goldmind" (melody from "Wade in the Water", traditional) – 2:07
10. "Wheatgrass" – 7:57
11. "Toward Vision Quest" – 3:21

Personnel

• Nicole Mitchell – flute, piccolo, vocals
• David Boykin – saxophone, clarinet, vocals
• Tony Herrera – trombone, shells, vocals
• Steve Berry – trombone
• Savoir Faire – violin, vocals
• Edith Yokley – violin
• Tomeka Reid – cello
• Miles Tate III – piano
• Jim Baker – piano
• Wanda Bishop – piano, vocals
• Darius Savage – double bass
• Josh Abrams – bass, vocals
• Hamid Drake – drums
• Isaiah Spencer – drums
• Arveeayl Ra – drums, vocals
• Jovia Armstrong – percussion
• Coco Elysses – percussion

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sharpe . John . November 16, 2012 . Nicole Mitchell: Nicole Mitchell: Arc of O . . June 27, 2020.
2. Dacks, David. Afrika Rising review at Exclaim!
3. West . Michael J. . October 13, 2013 . Essential Nicole Mitchell . . June 27, 2020.