What makes Calling Out Loud by Nat Adderley notable?

This album is notable for its exploration of Afro-centric themes, particularly through the track 'Biafra,' which reflects political consciousness during the Nigerian Civil War. Additionally, it solidified Adderley's reputation as a key figure in soul jazz, earning praise for its sophisticated compositions and spirited performances. Released in 1969, Calling Out Loud marked Nat Adderley's third album as a bandleader, following his acclaimed work on the 1966 album Soul Zodiac. By this time, Adderley had established himself within the jazz scene, building on his experience with legends like his brother Cannonball Adderley and contributing significantly to the hard bop movement.

How many songs are on Calling Out Loud?

Calling Out Loud has 8 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Calling Out Loud

Nat Adderley · 1969

37 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of hard bop and soul jazz, characterized by rich horn arrangements and rhythmic grooves that invite listeners to move.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Biafra — The opening track stands out with its poignant reflection on social issues, combining intricate rhythms with a powerful emotional resonance that sets the tone for the album.
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Comin' Out the Shadows — This track showcases a dynamic interplay between the horns and rhythm section, illustrating Adderley's unique ability to merge complex jazz structures with accessible melodies.
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Calling Out Loud — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's thematic essence, blending soulful lines with an infectious groove that emphasizes community and connection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions with engaging grooves and intricate arrangements, solidifying Adderley's place in jazz.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of call-and-response between the horns and rhythm section, creating a dynamic interplay throughout.
Each track maintains a strong groove, with rhythmic variations that encourage movement and engagement from the listener.
The arrangement includes rich horn harmonies that often layer multiple melodies, particularly evident in tracks like 'Biafra' and 'Haifa'.
Several tracks incorporate shifts in tempo and intensity, allowing for moments of both high energy and reflective calm.

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: 6/10
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 Biafra 6:30
2 Haifa 4:50
3 St. M 3:30
4 Grey Moss 5:00
5 Nobody Knows 6:00
6 Comin' Out the Shadows 5:15
7 Ivan's Holiday 3:07
8 Calling Out Loud 3:00

What to play next

Listen next

Soul Zodiac

1972

Go back to

The Scavenger

1968

Full Nat Adderley discography Artists like Nat Adderley

hard bop soul jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata