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]

Afrika Rising
Studio album / Live album by Nicole Mitchell
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
Nicole Mitchell chronology
Vision Quest (2001) Afrika Rising (2002) Hope, Future and Destiny (2004)

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

References