RUSSELL GUNN + BLACKHAWK

AFRIKAN-AMERIKAN BOOK OF THE DEAD

Vanglorious Arts Records

 Russell Gunn, trumpet/composer/arranger/producer/band leader.

Every album cover should reflect the majesty and creativity of the artists who compose, arrange and play the music. Although their cover photo of a beautiful woman is stunning, it troubles this journalist that to even see the name of the record company and other pertinent facts on this album, I had to go buy a magnifying glass. Your credits should be legible on your promotional CD jacket and elsewhere. They should stand tall to represent you and remind the world who made this music. Who thought it was a good idea to use such a tiny font size?  That being said, here is my review.

Power drums and a monologue open this revolutionary album.  A funk tune grows from the drumbeats, with the trumpet singing. Russell Gunn’s warm and wonderful instrument shines, standing upfront and unapologetic blowing his sultry song.  This tune is simply called “Folks” and spoken word announces during the monologue, “…Africans act like they’re mad at us. You got it twisted. We are mad at you! We waited, and nobody came for us.”

The album titled “Afrikan-Amerikan Book of the Dead,” presents seven songs, six that are original compositions by Russell Gunn and one Ellington classic. Trumpeter, composer, arranger, producer and revolutionary thinker, Russell Gunn reflects through word and music how he believes people can move forward with greater knowledge of self, truth, pride and strength.

“The way I write and think may appear, to some, that I’m coming from an antagonistic point of view.  However, my music is not a response to the past. …It’s about what my ancestors created and achieved, and how people can proceed in the greatness of that,” Gunn explains in his press package.

The church organ of Larry Wilson opens the “Pan Afrikan Invocation” with a monologue that introduces the concept of red, black and green, sometimes thought of as Black nationalist colors. Gunn’s music is powerful. The horns act as exclamation marks, blowing a fast unison melodic line that pulls back the musical curtains to let Gunn’s trumpet blare.

Born in Chicago in 1971, Russell Gunn’s initial musical fascination was with Hip Hop.  His family moved to East St. Louis in 1980.  Gunn took up the trumpet at age ten. By sixteen, his primary interest shifted to jazz, infused with the energy of Rap. Gunn made strides after being awarded a full scholarship at Mississippi’s Jackson State University, before returning to St. Louis and gigging locally. A fateful jam session led Gunn to join Wynton Marsalis for his seminal work, “Blood on the Fields” along with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Next Russell Gunn joined Wynton’s brother, sax man Branford Marsalis, in the Jazz/Hip Hop collective Buckshot LeFonque. Soon, Gunn was releasing his own albums.  He has also been a presence in Black music genres both recording and/or performing with D’Angelo, Maxwell, Marcus Miller, Jonathan Butler, Cee lo Green, and Ne-Yo, to name only a few.

Every composition and arrangement on this album brings us face-to-face with Russell Gunn’s sensitive and creative nature.  His orchestration, sometimes with choir voices to enrich the production, unfolds lovely melodies and musical ideas from Gunn, the composer. He is revolutionary in both words and music, letting his melodic arrangements speak his truth, and compelling us to listen.

BLACKHAWK: Russell Gunn, trumpet/composer/arranger/producer/band leader; Larry Wilson, Hammond B3 organist; Rod Harris, Jr., guitar; Mino Cinelu & Ali Barr, percussionist; Kevin Bales, piano; Kevin “Raw Dog” Smith, bass; Jeremy “Bean” Clemons, drums; Sean Falyon, turntablist; Carlos Brown Jr. & Kendrick Smith, alto saxophone; Jamel Mitchell, baritone saxophone; Andre Hayward, trombone; Ken “k solo oo7” Wells, spoken word vocals.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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