ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS Jazz Lights Up Harlem, Vol. 4

For those who love jazz, this audiobook provides valuable historical information on its development and influence on the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. Unfortunately, what one doesn't hear is a lot of music, only descriptions of different styles and musicians. The main narrator is critic Stanley Crouch, but Abdul-Jabbar, Quincy Jones, will.i.am, and other celebrities also take part. Crouch has a voice that sounds as if he has a mouthful of molasses, only scratchier, and he tells tales of musicians with gusto. He’s understandable, and his pacing is fine, but it takes a few moments to get used to him. Abdul-Jabbar asks questions and talks about his jazz-infused home in a conversational, genial manner. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2011]