Album Notes

"15 tracks of well-executed and captivatingly conscious music...very cool and engaging release from this East Bay Institution."--Bay Area BUZZ Magazine

Chromatology is music and words worth your money and time. It's like three CDs in one. This disc will gratify your jazz, pop and political cravings. Chromatology's a sonic Swiss army knife with 15 tracks of conscious words, assorted grooves and feels for your thinking, marching, and dancing. It does everything but open your wine and slice your cheese.

This landmark release showcases jazz instrumentation fused with provocative wordplay. It's rooted in the tradition of Langston Hughes, Allen Ginsberg, Gil Scott-Heron and the Last Poets. While honoring that tradition, Chromatology's message is very, very NOW! It's a dash of New York, a hint of L.A. (UpSurge! co-leaders hail from both coasts). It's muscular and playful, tender and serene.

Reader's Poll Winner--Best of the East Bay 2003, UpSurge! is a sextet of piano, bass, drums and three "horns"--saxophonist (and producer) Richard Howell, and jazzpoets Raymond Nat Turner and Zigi Lowenberg who bend metaphors and split similes throughout the swinging ride. Several Bay Area luminaries also join forces as special guests on Chromatology, UpSurge!'s second release.

Buy multiple copies of Chromatology at a special discount. Start your back-to-school and holiday shopping right here. You can't miss with this!