What makes Always by Aziza Mustafa Zadeh notable?

'Always' is significant for its innovative integration of traditional Azerbaijani music into the jazz genre, helping to broaden the global appeal of both styles. The album received critical acclaim and contributed to Zadeh's recognition as a pioneering artist in world music, influencing future generations of musicians seeking to fuse cultural sounds. When Aziza Mustafa Zadeh released 'Always' in 1993, she was establishing herself as a prominent figure in the jazz scene, following her debut album 'Azerbaijan' from 1991. This album marked her first international release, allowing her to blend her Azerbaijani heritage with modern jazz elements, further solidifying her unique sound.

How many songs are on Always?

Always has 11 tracks, running approximately 63 minutes.

Always

Aziza Mustafa Zadeh · 1993

63 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of jazz and traditional Azerbaijani music, showcasing intricate piano work and emotive vocals.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Always — The title track encapsulates Zadeh's signature style, blending haunting melodies with complex harmonies that highlight her virtuosic piano skills.
→
Heartbeat — This track features a rhythmic interplay between piano and percussive elements, creating a palpable tension that showcases Zadeh's ability to merge different musical traditions.
→
Crying Earth — With its poignant arrangement and lyrical depth, this song highlights Zadeh’s emotive vocal delivery and her talent for storytelling through music.
→
Yandi Ganim Daha — This piece stands out for its rich melodic lines and intricate piano work, illustrating the seamless blend of jazz improvisation with folkloric influences.

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's fusion of jazz and Azerbaijani music creates a distinctive sound, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.

What we noticed

The album features intricate piano solos that often blend jazz improvisation with traditional Azerbaijani motifs.
The use of call-and-response patterns between the piano and other instruments adds a dynamic layer to the compositions.

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 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.

Tracklist

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

1 Always 4:39
2 Heartbeat 7:37
3 Crying Earth 6:29
4 A.J.D. 6:20
5 Yandi Ganim Daha 7:30
6 I Don't Know 4:57
7 Vagif 6:04
8 Marriage Suite 5:49
9 Insult 4:08
10 Kaukas Mountains 4:53
11 Dangerous Piece 5:22

What to play next

Listen next

Dance of Fire

1995

Go back to

Aziza Mustafa Zadeh

1991

Full Aziza Mustafa Zadeh discography Artists like Aziza Mustafa Zadeh

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata