By the Law of Music cover

By the Law of Music

Matthew Shipp · 1997

60 min · 13 tracks · jazz

A bold exploration of avant-garde jazz, intertwining complex rhythms with ethereal melodies and improvisational flair.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • bold explorations of musical boundaries
  • captivating improvisational moments unfold
  • introspective listening for deep focus
  • varied track lengths surprise continuously

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeks straightforward melodic structure
  • prefers predictable rhythmic patterns

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1997, 'By the Law of Music' was Matthew Shipp's third album, solidifying his voice within the avant-garde jazz scene following his breakthrough with 'Black Magic' in 1996. At this point, Shipp had begun to establish a reputation for pushing boundaries in jazz, showcasing his inventive piano compositions and deep improvisational skills.
Stylistic neighbors
William Hooker· Sun Ra· Cecil Taylor

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Signal 0:17
  • 2 By the Law of Music 2:51
  • 3 Implicit 6:58
  • 4 Fair Play 5:00
  • 5 Grid 6:45
  • 6 Whole Movement 3:05
  • 7 Game of Control 7:56
  • 8 Point to Point 4:21
  • 9 P X 3:28
  • 10 Grid 5:36
  • 11 Coo 5:05
  • 12 X Z U 4:31
  • 13 Solitude 4:53

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata