Open on All Sides in the Middle is an album by pianist Geri Allen recorded in late 1986 and released on the German Minor Music label.
Reception
Allmusic reviewer Scott Yanow stated: "the material is comparatively lightweight for a Geri Allen recording, often only bordering on jazz". The Penguin Guide to Jazz described the album as an attempt to create "some new kind of song-based jazz", but labelled it "dire".
Track listing
All compositions by Geri Allen
"Open on All Sides / The Glide Was in the Ride..." - 6:45
"Forbidden Place" - 4:24
"The Dancer" - 2:33
"In the Middle" - 4:01
"Ray" - 4:17
"I Sang a Bright Green Tear for All of Us This Year..." - 12:46
"Drummer's Song" - 2:24
"In the Morning" - 5:03
"The Dancer Part 2" 1:34
Personnel
Geri Allen - piano, keyboards, backing vocals
Rayse Biggs - trumpet, flugelhorn
Robin Eubanks - trombone
David McMurray - soprano saxophone, flute
Steve Coleman - alto saxophone
Jaribu Shahid - bass
Tani Tabbal - drums
Shahida Nurullah - lead vocals
Marcus Belgrave - flugelhorn (track 8) Mino Cinelu - cymbals, bells, congas, timbales, electronic drums, udu Lloyd Storey - tap dance