What makes Another Earth by Gary Bartz notable?

This album is significant for its ambitious length and structure, particularly the title track which spans nearly 24 minutes, reflecting the experimental spirit of late-1960s jazz. 'Another Earth' has been influential in shaping the direction of avant-garde jazz and is often cited by critics for its intricate compositions and deep emotional resonance. When 'Another Earth' was released in 1969, Gary Bartz was transitioning from his role as a sideman in the Charles Mingus band to establishing himself as a leader. This album marked his debut as a solo artist, showcasing his unique blend of post-bop jazz with innovative elements that would define his career.

Who is Another Earth for?

Another Earth works well if you're into expansive improvisation for deep listening, cosmic soundscapes for contemplation and patient unfolding of musical ideas.

How many songs are on Another Earth?

Another Earth has 5 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Another Earth

Gary Bartz · 1969

41 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A cosmic exploration of sound, merging avant-garde jazz with spiritual overtones and expansive improvisation.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Another Earth — This nearly 24-minute epic serves as the centerpiece of the album, showcasing Bartz's virtuosic saxophone playing and intricate arrangements that challenge conventional jazz forms.
→
Dark Nebula — This track features a haunting melody and an ethereal atmosphere, highlighting Bartz’s ability to fuse jazz with cosmic themes and evoke a sense of introspection.
→
Lost in the Stars — The combination of lyrical melodies and complex harmonies in this piece reflects Bartz's innovative approach to storytelling through music, making it a standout on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositional themes and ambitious improvisation within a cohesive structure.

What we noticed

The title track features extended improvisation, with sections that shift between collective ensemble playing and solo showcases.
Each of the five tracks has a distinct thematic focus, with varying textures and dynamics that explore different sonic landscapes.
The album's overall length is ambitious, with the longest track nearly reaching 24 minutes, allowing for deep exploration of motifs.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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

expansive improvisation for deep listening
cosmic soundscapes for contemplation
patient unfolding of musical ideas
introspective moments of exploration

Maybe skip if you

seeking quick, catchy tunes
prefer structured, concise formats

Where this album fits

Career context: When 'Another Earth' was released in 1969, Gary Bartz was transitioning from his role as a sideman in the Charles Mingus band to establishing himself as a leader. This album marked his debut as a solo artist, showcasing his unique blend of post-bop jazz with innovative elements that would define his career.
Stylistic neighbors: McCoy Tyner· Pharoah Sanders· Wayne Shorter

Tracklist

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

1 Another Earth 23:57
2 Dark Nebula 5:04
3 UFO 4:49
4 Lost in the Stars 4:04
5 Perihelion and Aphelion 3:47

What to play next

Listen next

Home!

1970

Go back to

Libra

1968

Full Gary Bartz discography Artists like Gary Bartz

post-bop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata