What makes Air Above Mountains (Buildings Within) by Cecil Taylor notable?

This album is significant for its bold departure into extended forms of improvisation, reflecting the avant-garde ethos of the time. It garnered critical attention for its innovative structure, contributing to discussions on the boundaries of jazz and improvisational music, thereby influencing future generations of musicians seeking to break traditional molds. By the time of its release in 1978, Cecil Taylor had already established himself as a central figure in avant-garde jazz, known for his intense and complex playing style. 'Air Above Mountains (Buildings Within)' came shortly after his acclaimed album 'Unit Structures' and showcases Taylor's continued evolution as a composer and pianist during a period marked by increasing experimentation in jazz.

How many songs are on Air Above Mountains (Buildings Within)?

Air Above Mountains (Buildings Within) has 2 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Air Above Mountains (Buildings Within)

Cecil Taylor · 1978

51 min · 2 tracks · jazz

A sprawling avant-garde exploration that melds intricate piano improvisation with deep, resonant sonic landscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Air Above Mountains (Buildings Within), Part One — Part One serves as a monumental introduction to Taylor's expansive vision, combining chaotic bursts of sound with meditative passages that invite deep listening and introspection.
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Air Above Mountains (Buildings Within), Part Two — The second part continues the journey, further exploring thematic motifs introduced earlier while demonstrating Taylor's mastery of dynamics and texture over an extended format.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate improvisation and dynamic contrasts, making it a notable entry in avant-garde jazz.

What we noticed

The album consists of two lengthy tracks, each over 20 minutes, allowing for extensive improvisation and exploration of themes.
The piano plays a central role, with rapid, complex runs interspersed with moments of silence and sparse notes that create tension.
Each part features dynamic shifts in intensity, moving from dense clusters of sound to more open, contemplative passages.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Air Above Mountains (Buildings Within), Part One 25:40
2 Air Above Mountains (Buildings Within), Part Two 25:37

What to play next

Listen next

Cecil Taylor Unit

1978

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Embraced

1978

Full Cecil Taylor discography Where to start with Cecil Taylor Artists like Cecil Taylor

avant-garde music jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata