Memorophilia

Memorophilia is the debut studio album by American jazz pianist Vijay Iyer, which was recorded in 1995 and released on the Asian Improv label.

Memorophilia
Studio album by Vijay Iyer
Released	1995
Recorded	August & September, 1995
Studio	OTR Studios, Belmont, California
Genre	Jazz
Length	67:36
Label	Asian Improv
Producer	Vijay Iyer
Vijay Iyer chronology
Memorophilia (1995) Architextures (1998)

Background

The album features a solo piano piece and three different ensembles: the Vijay Iyer Trio (M-Base saxophonist Steve Coleman joins the trio on two tracks), the electric funk quartet Poisonous Prophets, and the improvising quintet Spirit Complex, with AACM trombonist George Lewis and Asian Improv instigator Francis Wong.^[1]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Tom Hull	B+[3]

In his review for AllMusic, David R. Adler states "His cerebral compositional approach and advanced playing style unite all the disparate streams that the album has to offer."^[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Vijay Iyer

1. "Relativist's Waltz" – 6:13
2. "Stars Over Mars" – 9:07
3. "Spellbound and Sacrosanct, Cowrie Shells and the Shimmering Sea" – 7:03
4. "March & Epilogue" – 8:15
5. "Peripatetics" – 7:51
6. "Algebra" – 7:51
7. "Off the Top" – 7:10
8. "Memorophilia" – 7:57
9. "Segment for Sentiment #2" – 6:09

Personnel

• Vijay Iyer – piano
• Jeff Brock – bass on 1, 2, 3, 7 & 8
• Brad Hargreaves – drums on 1, 2, 3, 7 & 8
• Steve Coleman – alto sax on 1 & 7
• George Lewis – trombone on 4 & 9
• Francis Wong – tenor sax on 4 & 9
• Kash Killion – cello on 4 & 9
• Elliot Humberto Kavee – drums on 4, 5 & 9
• Liberty Ellman – guitar on 5
• Jeff Bilmes – electric bass on 5

References

1. "Original Liner Notes by Vijay Iyer". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
2. Adler, David R.. Vijay Iyer – Memorophilia: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
3. Hull, Tom. "Tom Hull: Grade List: Vijay Iyer". tomhull.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.