Memorophilia Explained

Memorophilia
Type:	studio
Artist:	Vijay Iyer
Cover:	Memorophilia_cover.jpeg
Released:	1995
Recorded:	August & September, 1995
Studio:	OTR Studios, Belmont, California
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	67:36
Label:	Asian Improv
Producer:	Vijay Iyer
Chronology:	Vijay Iyer
Next Title:	Architextures
Next Year:	1998

Memorophilia is the debut studio album by American jazz pianist Vijay Iyer, which was recorded in 1995 and released on the Asian Improv label.

Background

The album features a solo piano piece and three different ensembles: the Vijay Iyer Trio (M-Base saxophonist Steve Coleman joins the trio on two tracks), the electric funk quartet Poisonous Prophets, and the improvising quintet Spirit Complex, with AACM trombonist George Lewis and Asian Improv instigator Francis Wong.^[1]

Reception

In his review for AllMusic, David R. Adler states "His cerebral compositional approach and advanced playing style unite all the disparate streams that the album has to offer."

Track listing

All compositions by Vijay Iyer

1. "Relativist's Waltz" – 6:13
2. "Stars Over Mars" – 9:07
3. "Spellbound and Sacrosanct, Cowrie Shells and the Shimmering Sea" – 7:03
4. "March & Epilogue" – 8:15
5. "Peripatetics" – 7:51
6. "Algebra" – 7:51
7. "Off the Top" – 7:10
8. "Memorophilia" – 7:57
9. "Segment for Sentiment #2" – 6:09

Personnel

• Vijay Iyer – piano
• Jeff Brock – bass on 1, 2, 3, 7 & 8
• Brad Hargreaves – drums on 1, 2, 3, 7 & 8
• Steve Coleman – alto sax on 1 & 7
• George Lewis – trombone on 4 & 9
• Francis Wong – tenor sax on 4 & 9
• Kash Killion – cello on 4 & 9
• Elliot Humberto Kavee – drums on 4, 5 & 9
• Liberty Ellman – guitar on 5
• Jeff Bilmes – electric bass on 5

Notes and References

1. Web site: Original Liner Notes by Vijay Iyer . 2015-07-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304235842/http://archive.cnmat.berkeley.edu/~vijay/liner_notes.html . 2016-03-04 . dead .