Is After the Morning a good place to start with John Hicks?

Yes, After the Morning is recommended as a starting point for new John Hicks listeners. A vibrant blend of intricate melodies and rhythmic improvisation, capturing the essence of late 70s jazz innovation. Upon releasing 'After the Morning' in 1979, John Hicks was establishing himself as a prominent pianist in the jazz scene, following his work with notable artists like Max Roach. This album served as a significant showcase of his compositional abilities and improvisational skills, occurring shortly after his contributions to other influential jazz recordings during the late 1970s.

Who is After the Morning for?

After the Morning works well if you're into steady progression with resolution, intricate melodies for deep focus and late-night reflective ambiance.

How many songs are on After the Morning?

After the Morning has 8 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

After the Morning

John Hicks · 1979

44 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of intricate melodies and rhythmic improvisation, capturing the essence of late 70s jazz innovation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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After The Morning Start here — The title track encapsulates Hicks' fluid piano style, intertwining complex harmonies with a lyrical sensibility that sets the tone for the entire album.
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Dierdre De Samba — This piece showcases Hicks' ability to blend traditional jazz elements with world music influences, creating an infectious rhythm that draws listeners in.
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Night Journey — With its expansive arrangement and meditative pace, this track highlights Hicks' skillful interplay between melody and harmony, offering a reflective listening experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions and skilled performances but remains somewhat conventional within its genre.

What we noticed

The album features intricate piano melodies that are often accompanied by syncopated rhythms from the bass and drums, creating a dynamic interplay.
Several tracks incorporate sudden tempo shifts, particularly in the middle sections, which adds an element of surprise and keeps the listener engaged.
The final track, 'Night Journey', gradually slows down, creating a reflective conclusion that contrasts with the more energetic pieces earlier in the album.

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

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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 progression with resolution
intricate melodies for deep focus
late-night reflective ambiance
smooth rhythms for relaxation

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy tracks
prefer short, standalone songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album helped establish Hicks as a notable jazz pianist in the late 70s.
Career context: Upon releasing 'After the Morning' in 1979, John Hicks was establishing himself as a prominent pianist in the jazz scene, following his work with notable artists like Max Roach. This album served as a significant showcase of his compositional abilities and improvisational skills, occurring shortly after his contributions to other influential jazz recordings during the late 1970s.
Stylistic neighbors: McCoy Tyner· Chick Corea· Ahmad Jamal