Fragmentary composition, possibly for trio with saxophone, bass/cello, and percussion. In the Julius Hemphill Papers, there is an instrumental part with this title for bass or cello, on a manuscript that includes several pieces recorded on the album Raw Materials and Residuals (1977), which featured Hemphill on saxophone with Abdul Wadud on cello and Don Moye on percussion. No known recording.
From Marty Ehrlich: “Short Circuit” is subtitled “10-Bar Blues.” The instrumental part includes bass notes, double stops, and some chord symbols. If a melody ever is found, it will be interesting to see how this work connects to Hemphill’s other 10-bar blues, “KC Line.” Perhaps it is a rhythm section part for that piece, and Julius gave it another title. (You do a short circuit of the 12-bar blues form, doing only ten.)