Odyssey is an album by American guitarist James Blood Ulmer, recorded and released in 1983 on the Columbia label.James "Blood" Ulmer discography accessed July 12, 2010 It was Ulmer's final of three albums recorded for a major label. The musicians on the album later re-united as the Odyssey Band and Odyssey the Band.
Reception The AllMusic review by Steve Huey stated that "Odyssey stands as James Blood Ulmer's signature masterpiece, the purest and most accessible showcase for his bold, genre-clashing guitar vision... All the pieces come together to produce not only Ulmer's finest album, but a certified classic of the modern jazz avant-garde." It placed at No. 20 in The Village Voice'''s annual Pazz & Jop critics' poll.1983 Pazz & Jop accessed January 15, 2020 The album was listed as part of a suggested "core collection" by The Penguin Guide to Jazz.Cook R., Morton B. (2006). Penguin Guide to Jazz, 8th ed. London: Penguin Books, p, 1314.
Track listingAll compositions by James "Blood" Ulmer'' "Church" – 4:54 "Little Red House" – 4:45 "Love Dance" – 5:05 "Are You Glad to Be in America?" – 3:40 "Election" – 3:26 "Odyssey" – 5:01 "Please Tell Her" – 4:10 "Swing & Things" – 4:32 Recorded at the Power Station, New York, in March–May 1983
Personnel James "Blood" Ulmer – guitar, vocals Charles Burnham – violin Warren Benbow – drums
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