Black Science (Steve Coleman album)
# Black Science (Steve Coleman album)

Black Science is an album by saxophonist Steve Coleman and his band Five Elements, recorded in 1990 and released on the Novus label.

## Reception

Professional ratings :

| Review scores ||
| - | - |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |

The Austin American-Statesman wrote that "strong modern street music sensibilities infuse contemporary funk to create a sort of hip-hop jazz." The Edmonton Journal determined that "the off-kilter drumming of Marvin 'Smitty' Smith and darting lines of Reggie Washington's electric bass set up a complicated maze for the snaking, urgent, unceasing curiosity of Coleman's alto sax."

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow states: "Altoist Steve Coleman's CD is recommended as a good example of his music. The improvisations are dynamic, unpredictable, and quite original... Coleman, who wrote all but one of the originals, is the dominant force behind this often-disturbing but generally stimulating music".

## Track listing

All compositions by Steve Coleman except as indicated

* "The X Format" - 6:45
* "Twister" - 7:48
* "Turbulence" - 6:22
* "Beyond All We Know" - 4:10
* "A Vial of Calm" - 7:06
* "Black Phonemics" (David Gilmore, Steve Coleman) - 4:01
* "Ghost Town" (Dave Mills, Steve Coleman) - 6:56
* "Magneto" (James Weidman) - 2:52
* "Cross-Fade" - 3:07
* "Black Phonemics (Reprise)" - 1:50

## Personnel

* Steve Coleman - alto saxophone
* James Weidman - piano, keyboards
* David Gilmore - guitar
* Reggie Washington - bass guitar
* Marvin "Smitty" Smith - drums
* Cassandra Wilson - vocals (tracks 1, 4 & 5)
* Dave Holland - double bass (tracks 2, 4 & 5)
* Dave Mills - voice (track 7)
* Najma Akhtar - vocals (track 7)
