What makes Burn by Sons of Kemet notable?

'Burn' received critical acclaim upon release, with notable recognition from publications like The Guardian and Jazzwise, solidifying Sons of Kemet's place within the contemporary jazz scene. The album's innovative approach contributed to a resurgence of interest in jazz that incorporates diverse cultural influences. Released in early 2013, 'Burn' marked Sons of Kemet's debut album, introducing their unique fusion of jazz elements with Caribbean and African influences. This album set the stage for the band's distinctive sound, which would continue to evolve in their subsequent projects.

How many songs are on Burn?

Burn has 10 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

Burn

Sons of Kemet · 2013

49 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of jazz rhythms and Caribbean influences, creating a soundscape that is both energetic and meditative.

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Top tracks — play these first

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All Will Surely Burn — Opening the album, this track establishes the band's powerful sound with its intricate percussion and soaring saxophone lines, setting the thematic tone for the entire record.
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Inner Babylon — This track showcases a complex interplay between rhythm and melody, illustrating the band’s ability to weave political themes into their music through evocative instrumentation.
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The Book of Disquiet — With its haunting melodies and layered textures, this composition reflects on existential themes, demonstrating the band's capacity to evoke deep emotional responses through jazz.

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 techniques and vibrant performances, establishing a unique sound in contemporary jazz.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of polyrhythms throughout, with multiple percussion instruments driving the tempo.
Each track typically builds in intensity, layering brass and woodwind melodies over rhythmic foundations that evolve over time.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response patterns between instruments, creating a conversational dynamic within the ensemble.

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 All Will Surely Burn 6:19
2 The Godfather 5:16
3 Inner Babylon 5:20
4 The Book of Disquiet 5:34
5 Going Home 3:52
6 Adonia’s Lullaby 4:11
7 Song for Galeano 4:24
8 Beware 3:37
9 The Itis 2:28
10 Rivers of Babylon 8:37

What to play next

Listen next

Lest We Forget What We Came Here to Do

2015

Full Sons of Kemet discography Artists like Sons of Kemet

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata