Alive
Chick Corea · 1991
63 min · 8 tracks · jazz
A vibrant exploration of jazz standards infused with Corea's signature avant-garde flair and intricate improvisation.
Top tracks — play these first
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On Green Dolphin Street Start here — This track features an intricate interplay between the piano and bass, showcasing Corea's skill in blending melody with rhythm while paying homage to the classic standard.
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'Round Midnight — Corea's interpretation of this iconic piece highlights his emotional depth and technical prowess, transforming it into a reflective and atmospheric journey that deviates from traditional renditions.
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Humpty Dumpty — This composition stands out for its playful complexity, featuring rapid tempo shifts and intricate harmonies that exemplify Corea’s innovative approach to jazz improvisation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases Corea's improvisational skill while reinterpreting jazz standards, making it distinct yet cohesive.
What we noticed
- Several tracks include extended solos that explore harmonic variations, allowing for deep personal expression within the familiar frameworks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts
- intricate melodies for attentive listening
- late-night solitude with improvisation
- exploratory themes across lengthy tracks
Maybe skip if you
- seeking quick, catchy tunes
- prefer straightforward, short pieces
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases Corea's virtuosity and innovative interpretations, marking a high point in his career.
- Themes
- avant-garde improvisation· jazz standard reinterpretation
- Career context
- Released in 1991, Alive came during Chick Corea's prolific phase as a jazz innovator. Following his acclaimed work with Return to Forever and various collaborations, this album showcased his ability to reinterpret jazz classics through a contemporary lens.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Herbie Hancock· Keith Jarrett· McCoy Tyner
Tracklist
- 1 On Green Dolphin Street Start here 9:14
- 2 How Deep Is the Ocean 11:40
- 3 Humpty Dumpty 8:51
- 4 Sophisticated Lady 6:59
- 5 U.M.M.G. 5:29
- 6 'Round Midnight 8:39
- 7 Hackensack 2:41
- 8 Morning Sprite 10:15
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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