What makes A Fickle Sonance by Jackie McLean notable?

The album is significant for its adventurous approach to harmonic structure and improvisation, reflecting the broader movement toward free jazz in the early 1960s. Critics noted its impact on subsequent generations of jazz musicians, positioning McLean as a pioneering figure within avant-garde circles during a transformative period for jazz music. Released in late 1962, A Fickle Sonance was Jackie McLean's fourth album and showcased his evolution as a leading voice in avant-garde jazz. At this point in his career, McLean was transitioning from hard bop into more experimental territory, collaborating with innovative musicians like pianist McCoy Tyner, which influenced his stylistic direction.

Who is A Fickle Sonance for?

A Fickle Sonance works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, gradual builds and payoffs and dynamic emotional journeys.

How many songs are on A Fickle Sonance?

A Fickle Sonance has 6 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

A Fickle Sonance

Jackie McLean · 1962

35 min · 6 tracks · jazz

Exploratory jazz harmonies intertwine with dissonant textures, punctuated by vibrant improvisation and dynamic rhythms.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Five Will Get You Ten — This opening track features intricate melodies and showcases McLean's bold saxophone lines intertwined with complex rhythmic patterns, setting the tone for the album's exploratory nature.
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A Fickle Sonance — The title track exemplifies the album's themes of unpredictability and change through its shifting time signatures and emotive solos, encapsulating McLean’s innovative spirit.
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Subdued — This piece stands out with its contemplative mood and sparse arrangement, allowing McLean's expressive phrasing to shine through amidst subtle harmonic shifts.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album showcases innovative harmonic structures and improvisation, marking a significant step in McLean's artistic evolution.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of dissonant harmonies that create tension throughout the tracks.
Improvisation is prominent, with each musician taking extended solos that often diverge from the main themes.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
gradual builds and payoffs
dynamic emotional journeys
immersive listening sessions

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in late 1962, A Fickle Sonance was Jackie McLean's fourth album and showcased his evolution as a leading voice in avant-garde jazz. At this point in his career, McLean was transitioning from hard bop into more experimental territory, collaborating with innovative musicians like pianist McCoy Tyner, which influenced his stylistic direction.
Stylistic neighbors: Eric Dolphy· Cannonball Adderley· Sonny Rollins