Decode Yourself

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

The Allmusic review by Stephen Cook stated "The range of styles found on drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decode Yourself is amazing, but what really impresses is the way Jackson unifies the disparate strains with his unique arrangements and varied rhythmic support".[2] Jeff Eldredge said "Despite the return of the violin, the addition of the trombone, some interesting stylistic forays into country, bebop, and space funk, and the promise of a Bill Laswell production, the third Island release, Decode Yourself, is marred by a thin sound, gimmicky electronic drum and synthesizer timbres, and (surprisingly) a plodding, four-square rhythmic monotony".[3]

All compositions by Ronald Shannon Jackson except where noted.

1. "Bebop" (Dizzy Gillespie) - 0:49
2. "Decoding" - 4:15
3. "Thieves Market" - 3:56
4. "Behind Plastic Faces" - 4:55
5. "Software Shuffle" - 2:35
6. "Snake Alley" - 3:44
7. "Undressing" - 7:56
8. "Love Words for a Queen" - 6:29
9. "Tricky Vic" - 3:55

• Ronald Shannon Jackson – drums (Sonor and Simmons)
• Robin Eubanks – trombone
• Eric Person – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone
• Akbar Ali – violin
• Onaje Allan Gumbs – synthesizer
• Vernon Reid – electric guitar, steel guitar, Roland guitar synthesizer, banjo
• Melvin Gibbs, Reverend Bruce Johnson – electric bass