Odyssey is James Blood Ulmer’s signature masterpiece, the purest and most accessible showcase for his bold, genre-clashing guitar vision. With minimal trio accompaniment, only drummer Warren Benbow and violinist Charles Burnham, Ulmer’s guitar is always the meat of the ensemble, especially since his unique tuning (developed for this album) allows him to cover bass parts as well as guitar leads.

• Limited Edition (2000 units)
  
• Numbered Edition
• Double LP 45rpm 180 Gram Vinyl
• Mastered from Original Analog Master Tapes
• Cut by Bernie Grundman
• Audiophile pressing at Pallas in Germany
• Stoughton case-wrapped Gatefold Cover

James 'Blood' Ulmer was once described by the omnipotent Village Voice music critic and co-founder of the Black Rock Coalition, Greg Tate, as: “...the missing link between Jimi Hendrix and Wes Montgomery on one hand, between P-Funk and Mississippi Fred McDowell on the other.” The talented guitarist, vocalist and composer hovers atop the pantheon of American music mavericks, forging an unyielding synthesis of musical styles, vision and virtuosity.

Ulmer’s career would take a dramatic turn upon arriving in New York City in ’71 and meeting the legendary avant-garde jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman. The association would lead to a stint in Coleman’s revolutionary group, as well as, collaborations with a colossal lot of groundbreaking, experimental musicians: Rashied Ali, Larry Young, Joe Henderson, Paul Bley and Arthur Blythe to name but a few.

Alongside violinist Charles Burnham and drummer Warren Benbow, Ulmer delivered his avant-garde masterwork Odyssey in 1983, an album of visceral, raw emotion that went straight to the depths of deepest, darkest Africa, while simultaneously traversing the American music landscape. Blues, jazz, funk, country and freeform noise spilled over in dense musical themes and sonic structures. Odyssey is considered by many as a peak moment in daring American jazz music.

This new edition of James "Blood" Ulmer's Odyssey from ORG Music has been mastered at 45rpm from the original analog tapes by Bernie Grundman and has been pressed on a numbered limited audiophile-grade 180g 2LP-set of 2,000 copies at Pallas Group in Germany. Housed in a Stoughton case-wrapped gatefold jacket.


Musicians:

James "Blood" Ulmer (guitar)
Warren Benbow (drums)
Charles Burnham (violin)

Track Listing:

1. Church
2. Little Red House
3. Love Dance
4. Are You Glad to Be in America?
5. Election
6. Odyssey
7. Please Tell Her
8. Swing & Things

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫