All Too Real
Vincent Herring · 2003
48 min · 8 tracks · jazz
A vibrant tapestry of bebop rhythms interwoven with soulful improvisations that reflect Herring's deep jazz roots.
Top tracks — play these first
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Yoko's Delight — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its intricate melodies and energetic tempo, showcasing Herring's skillful saxophone work.
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Love for Sale — Herring’s interpretation of this classic standard brings a fresh perspective, blending emotional depth with technical prowess that captivates listeners.
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I'll Sing You a Lullaby — The tender nature of this track highlights Herring's lyrical playing style, creating an intimate atmosphere that contrasts with more upbeat selections.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong bebop influences with engaging improvisation but lacks broader cultural reach.
What we noticed
- Improvisation is a central element, with extended solos that allow the musicians to explore themes in depth, particularly in tracks like 'The Herring Pelt Clause'.
- The running time of each track varies, with some pieces exceeding seven minutes, allowing for dynamic development and interaction between instruments.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- vibrant improvisations for attentive listeners
- soulful melodies for reflective moments
- engaging rhythms for social gatherings
- cascading layers that invite exploration
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- need concise, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2003, All Too Real is Vincent Herring's sixth studio album and showcases his evolution as a prominent saxophonist in the contemporary jazz scene. Following his work on well-received albums like 1999's The Vibe, this release marks a period where Herring was solidifying his voice as a leader while also paying homage to jazz traditions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Eric Alexander· David Hazeltine· Joe Lovano
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Love for Sale
The arrangement shifts from upbeat tempos to a slow ballad reveals layers of vulnerability in the performance.
This structural change emphasizes the emotional weight of the piece, allowing Herring’s expressive tone to shine through.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Yoko's Delight 6:38
- 2 Athlete 6:00
- 3 Invitation 5:54
- 4 The Rain 6:26
- 5 The Herring Pelt Clause 4:04
- 6 Piece, Part 2 5:14
- 7 Love for Sale 8:20
- 8 I'll Sing You a Lullaby 5:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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