Is Belonging a good place to start with Keith Jarrett?

Yes, Belonging is recommended as a starting point for new Keith Jarrett listeners. A soulful blend of improvisational jazz, cascading melodies, and intricate harmonies that evoke a sense of serene introspection. Released in 1974, Belonging is Keith Jarrett's fourth album as a bandleader, following the acclaimed The Koln Concert. At this point in his career, Jarrett was emerging as a significant figure in jazz, known for his unique approach to improvisation and ability to blend classical influences with jazz idioms.

Who is Belonging for?

Belonging works well if you're into wave-like pacing with resolution, introspective moments for deep focus and suitable for serene evenings.

How many songs are on Belonging?

Belonging has 6 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

Belonging

Keith Jarrett · 1974

46 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A soulful blend of improvisational jazz, cascading melodies, and intricate harmonies that evoke a sense of serene introspection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Spiral Dance Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Blossom — This expansive track showcases Jarrett's lyrical piano style, weaving intricate melodies that build emotional depth over its lengthy runtime.
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The Windup — With its dynamic shifts and rhythmic complexity, this track captures the essence of the album’s improvisational spirit while highlighting the ensemble's synergy.
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Belonging — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of connection and community through its intimate melodic lines.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

68 /100

Alpine

Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate improvisation and melodic interplay highlight its strong compositional elements.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisations, with several tracks exceeding eight minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes.
The title track 'Belonging' employs a gradual build-up, starting softly and layering complexity as it progresses, culminating in a rich harmonic tapestry.

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: 7/10
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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

wave-like pacing with resolution
introspective moments for deep focus
suitable for serene evenings
exploratory listening with improvisation

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Helped establish Jarrett's reputation in jazz following earlier acclaimed works.
Themes: intimate melodies· improvisational synergy· 1970s jazz exploration
Career context: Released in 1974, Belonging is Keith Jarrett's fourth album as a bandleader, following the acclaimed The Koln Concert. At this point in his career, Jarrett was emerging as a significant figure in jazz, known for his unique approach to improvisation and ability to blend classical influences with jazz idioms.
Stylistic neighbors: Chick Corea· Brad Mehldau· Bill Evans