Blacknuss is an album by Rahsaan Roland Kirk. It was recorded in 1971 and released by Atlantic Records.

Blacknuss
Studio album by Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Released	1972
Recorded	August 31, September 8, 1971
Genre	Jazz
Length	42:46
Label	Atlantic
Producer	Joel Dorn
Rahsaan Roland Kirk chronology
Natural Black Inventions: Root Strata (1971) Blacknuss (1972) A Meeting of the Times (1972)

Recording and music

The album was recorded in New York City on August 31 and September 8, 1971.[1] Much of the material is pop tunes.[2]

Release and reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz	[3]

Blacknuss was released by Atlantic Records.[1] The AllMusic reviewer wrote: "Blacknuss [...] is Kirk at his most visionary. [...] Blacknuss is as deep as a soul record can be and as hot as a jazz record has any right to call itself."[2] The Penguin Guide to Jazz wrote that "Some of the arrangements are guitar-heavy and the backbeats are decidedly uncouth", and that the record label probably influenced the choice of material, but that Kirk was comfortable with playing it.[3]

Track listing

1. "Ain't No Sunshine" (Bill Withers) – 2:26
2. "What's Goin' On/Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" (Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland, Marvin Gaye) – 3:47
3. "I Love You, Yes I Do" (Chris Allen, Johnny Cameron) – 2:49
4. "Take Me Girl, I'm Ready" (Johnny Bristol, Pam Sawyer, LaVerne Ware) – 3:18
5. "My Girl" (Smokey Robinson, Ronald White) – 3:06
6. "Which Way Is It Going" (Rahsaan Roland Kirk) – 2:26
7. "One Nation" (Princess Patience Burton) – 3:41
8. "Never Can Say Goodbye" (Clifton Davis) – 4:02
9. "Old Rugged Cross" (Trad.) – 7:15
10. "Make It With You" (David Gates) – 4:50
11. "Blacknuss" (Kirk) – 5:12

Source:[2]

Personnel

• Rahsaan Roland Kirk - flute, electric guitar, gong, tenor saxophone, tin whistle, stritch, manzello, vocals
• Princess Patience Burton - vocals
• Billy Butler - electric guitar
• Cornell Dupree - electric guitar
• Dick Griffin - trombone
• Cissy Houston - vocals
• Arthur Jenkins - conga drums, cabasa
• Richard Landrum - conga drums, percussion
• Keith Loving - electric guitar
• Charles McGhee - trumpet
• Khalil Mhrdi - drums
• Henry Pearson - bass guitar
• Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - drums
• Bill Salter - bass guitar
• Sonelius Smith - piano
• Richard Tee - piano
• Joseph "Habao" Texidor - Percussion
• Mickey Tucker - Organ
• Joel Dorn - Producer

References