Brazen Heart
Dave Douglas · 2015
65 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant tapestry of intricate jazz melodies woven with adventurous improvisation and rich harmonic textures.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Brazen Heart Start here — The title track serves as a powerful opener, featuring a dynamic interplay between melody and rhythm that encapsulates the album's adventurous spirit.
-
→
Deep River — This piece showcases a hauntingly beautiful melody that reflects Douglas's mastery of mood and atmosphere, drawing listeners into its emotional depth.
-
→
Miracle Gro — With its intricate arrangements and lively improvisation, this track highlights the ensemble's chemistry and Douglas's innovative compositional style.
-
→
There Is A Balm In Gilead — This interpretation of a spiritual brings a reflective quality to the album, demonstrating how Douglas incorporates traditional elements into his modern jazz framework.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalBrazen Heart blends intricate melodies with improvisation, showcasing Douglas's compositional skill within modern jazz.
What we noticed
- Each track showcases a different instrumental focus, with some emphasizing brass while others highlight piano or percussion.
- The final track, 'Wake Up Claire', serves as a reflective conclusion, slowing the tempo and creating a sense of resolution.
- 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
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- wave-like pacing invites deep listening
- intricate melodies for detail-oriented listeners
- reflective moments for quiet contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy, immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Ambitious compositions and skilled musicianship mark it as a high point in Douglas's career.
- Themes
- spiritual reflection· adventurous improvisation
- Moods
- Uplifting· Introspective
- Career context
- By the time Dave Douglas released Brazen Heart in 2015, he was an established figure in the jazz scene, known for his innovative approach to composition and performance. This album followed his acclaimed work with the Riverside project and marked a continued evolution in his sound, showcasing his ability to blend diverse influences while retaining a distinct voice in contemporary jazz.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chris Potter· Avishai Cohen· Maria Schneider
Tracklist
- 1 Brazen Heart Start here 7:23
- 2 Deep River 3:58
- 3 Hawaiian Punch 7:31
- 4 Inure Phase 5:38
- 5 Lone Wolf 2:55
- 6 Miracle Gro 8:16
- 7 Ocean Spray 5:23
- 8 Pyrrhic Apology 7:34
- 9 There Is A Balm In Gilead 6:23
- 10 Variable Current 4:21
- 11 Wake Up Claire 5:33
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.