Darius Jones - Legend of e'Boi (The Hypervigilant Eye) (2024) [Hi-Res]

Darius Jones: composer, alto saxophone
Gerald Cleaver: drums
Chris Lightcap: bass

Legend of e’Boi (The Hypervigilant Eye) is the powerful new work by composer & alto saxophonist Darius Jones. His tremendous artistic strengths are to the fore here in a fully committed trio communion with longtime collaborator Gerald Cleaver & the likewise exceptional Chris Lightcap, featuring five potent new Jones compositions and a striking arrangement of “No More My Lord” (the prison song recorded by Alan Lomax at Parchman Farm, MS).

Legend of e’Boi is the 7th chapter (of 9 on completion) in Jones’ expansive Man’ish Boy epic, begun with AUM Fidelity in 2009. Commensurately powerful liner notes by acclaimed writer & poet Harmony Holiday, cover art photography by Jesse Ponkamo, and additional artwork by Risha Rox all additionally illuminate essences within the music.

Typical of his work, Legend of e’Boi serves as a larger creative vehicle for artistic exchange. This project is about Black mental health and healing from personal and collective trauma through therapy, community & creative expression. In addition to the liner notes, the CD/digital editions include booklets w/ contributions from seven writers & artwork which also address this theme.

Jones has received worldwide acclaim over the past 15 years not only for his albums featuring music & images evocative of Black Futurism, but also for his commissioned work as a composer throughout the U.S. and Canada. Jones’ previous release, fLuXkit Vancouver (i̶t̶s̶ suite but sacred), was ranked #3 in The Wire’s Top 50 Albums of 2023 and chosen among NPR’s 50 Best Albums of 2023.