Certain Blacks
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album|
| name = Certain Blacks
| type = Album
| artist = Art Ensemble of Chicago
| cover = Certain Blacks.jpg
| alt =
| released = 1970
| recorded = February 10, 1970
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Jazz
| length = 42:25
| label = America
| producer = Pierre Berjot
| prev_title = Comme à la radio
| prev_year = 1970
| next_title = Go Home
| next_year = 1970
| misc = {{Extra album cover
| header = Reissue Cover
| type = Album
| cover = Certain Blacks reissue.jpg
| border =
| alt =
| caption =
}}
}}
Certain Blacks is an album by the Art Ensemble of Chicago recorded in Paris on February 10, 1970, and released on the America label.[https://web.archive.org/web/19990203134133/http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/8835/art.html Art Ensemble of Chicago discography] accessed 22, July, 2009[http://www.jazzlists.com/SJ_AEC.htm Jazzlists: Art Ensemble Of Chicago discography], accessed November 26, 2017 It features performances by Lester Bowie, Joseph Jarman, Roscoe Mitchell (credited as Edward Mitchell Jr.), Malachi Favors Maghostut, Chicago Beau, Julio Finn and William A. Howell.
Reception
The Allmusic review by Ron Wynn states: "A classic, with spicy and frenetic solos one moment, comic overtones and clever melodies and rhythms the next. The Art Ensemble at this point were becoming stars overseas, and finding the going increasingly tougher in America. It's outside or avant-garde jazz with soul, heart, and funk".Wynn, R. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r134741|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic Review] accessed July 21, 2009.
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Allmusic
|rev2 = The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide
| rev2Score = {{rating|2|5}}{{Cite book
|editor-last=Swenson
|editor-first=J.
| author-link =
| year = 1985
| title = The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide
| publisher = Random House/Rolling Stone
| location = USA
| isbn = 0-394-72643-X
| pages = 14
}}
|rev3 = The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings
|rev3score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite book|last = Cook|first = Richard|author-link = Richard Cook (journalist)|author2 = Brian Morton|author2-link = Brian Morton (Scottish writer)|title = The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings|edition = 9th|series = The Penguin Guide to Jazz|year = 2008|publisher = Penguin|location = London|isbn = 978-0-14-103401-0 | page = 46}}
}}
Track listing
- "Certain Blacks 'Do What They Wanna'" (Chicago Beau) - 23:41
- "One for Jarman" (Chicago Beau) - 7:07
- "Bye Bye Baby" (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 11:37
- Recorded February 10, 1970, in Paris
Personnel
- Lester Bowie: trumpet
- Chicago Beau: tenor saxophone, piano, harmonica, percussion
- Joseph Jarman: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, vibes, percussion
- Roscoe Mitchell: bass saxophone
- Julio Finn: harmonica
- Malachi Favors Maghostut: bass, percussion
- William A. Howell: drums