The State of Black America is the fifth album released by the Mark Lomax Trio. The band consists of Mark Lomax, who is the drummer, composer and front man, Edwin Bayard the saxophonist and Dean Hulett the bassist.
About the gallant title of the album and the meaning behind it Lomax told The Jazz Mann, “The State Of Black America” is a “means of dealing with these complex issues of race and (cultural) identity in America.”
The album delivers an eminent message through the sounds of jazz. The State of Black America is a form of expression through music that touches on the issues
of life.
“Stuck In A Rut” is the first single on the album. The beat of the drums is clearly evident through out the entire song. It has a sense of rage and desire each time Lomax beats the drum. Bayard makes his mark with his harmonious saxophone. Hulett has his remarkable solo and it brings the song to a full circle.
The next song is “The Unknown Self” which starts off with a drum solo. It turns into a soft blues ballad that once again showcases Hulett as he does another solo. This intensity and sound is once again revisited at the end of the album with the last song called “Blues For Charles (Who Split B4 The Butterfly Flew In).” Bayard eloquently plays the saxophone and this track sums up the message behind the album.
All in all, The State of Black America is a jazz album that should be given chance to be heard because it is far from conventional.