What makes Blue Planet Man by John Patton notable?

This album is notable for its critical reception, particularly from jazz enthusiasts who praised Patton’s distinct style and mastery of the Hammond organ. It helped solidify his legacy within the genre and contributed to a resurgence of interest in soul jazz during the early '90s. Released in 1993, Blue Planet Man marked a significant return for John Patton after a decade-long hiatus from recording. At this point in his career, he was reestablishing himself on the jazz scene, having previously gained recognition in the 1960s as a prominent figure in the soul jazz movement.

How many songs are on Blue Planet Man?

Blue Planet Man has 8 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Blue Planet Man

John Patton · 1993

53 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of soul jazz grooves and intricate harmonies that showcase Patton's dynamic organ playing.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Congo Chant — The track opens the album with an infectious rhythm and intricate organ lines, setting a lively tone that showcases Patton's prowess as a performer.
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Funky Mama — This track features a captivating groove complemented by tight ensemble playing, encapsulating the essence of Patton's unique sound melded with funk influences.
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What's Your Name? — With its engaging melody and playful interaction between instruments, this track highlights Patton's ability to blend improvisation with structured composition.

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

Patton's vibrant organ work and the album's cohesive grooves create a compelling jazz experience.

What we noticed

The album opens with a strong groove in 'Congo Chant', establishing a rhythmic foundation that persists throughout.
Each track features extended improvisation sections, allowing the organ to explore melodic variations over the underlying rhythm.
The final track, 'Bama', gradually slows down, creating a reflective conclusion that contrasts with the energetic start.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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 Congo Chant 8:47
2 Funky Mama 6:49
3 Claudette 7:56
4 Chip 5:43
5 Popeye 8:01
6 What's Your Name? 4:26
7 U-Jama 6:54
8 Bama 4:28

What to play next

Listen next

Minor Swing

1995

Go back to

Blue John

1986

Full John Patton discography Artists like John Patton

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata