Blues for a Hip King cover

Released 50 years ago

Blues for a Hip King

Abdullah Ibrahim · 1976

41 min · 4 tracks · folk music

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

66 /100
Alpine
Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album blends South African rhythms with jazz, showcasing strong compositions and skilled performances.

What we noticed

  • Many tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections, allowing for intricate solos that highlight the musicians' technical skills.
  • The running time is approximately 50 minutes, with a consistent mid-tempo feel that maintains listener engagement without abrupt shifts.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Monk in Harlem 13:32
  • 2 Sweet Basil Blues 6:17
  • 3 Tsakwe Here Comes the Postman 11:43
  • 4 Blues for a Hip King 9:44

What to play next

Black Lightning
Listen next

Black Lightning

1976
Banyana – Children of Africa
Go back to

Banyana – Children of Africa

1976
Full Abdullah Ibrahim discography Where to start with Abdullah Ibrahim Artists like Abdullah Ibrahim
bebop post-bop

Reference: MusicBrainz