Cedar!
Cedar Walton · 1967
6 tracks · jazz
A sophisticated blend of lyrical melodies and intricate harmonies, showcasing jazz's emotional depth and technical prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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Turquoise Twice — This track opens the album with a delicate interplay of piano and horns, establishing Walton’s lyrical approach to melody. Its subtle complexity sets the tone for the sophisticated arrangements throughout the record.
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Come Sunday — A poignant interpretation that highlights Walton’s ability to convey deep emotion through music, this track features rich harmonic textures that elevate its spiritual resonance. The arrangement draws listeners into a contemplative space.
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Short Stuff — This composition stands out for its rhythmic vitality and playful interaction between instruments, showcasing Walton's skill as both a composer and performer. Its upbeat nature adds a lively contrast to other more introspective tracks.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalCedar! showcases strong compositions and a cohesive sound, marking Walton's emergence as a significant jazz voice.
What we noticed
- Each track maintains a lyrical quality, with melodies that are often passed between instruments rather than remaining fixed to one soloist.
- The tempo varies across the six tracks, with several pieces starting slowly and building in intensity before resolving back to a softer conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
- sophisticated evening relaxation
- intricate harmonies for detail lovers
- lyrical melodies for reflective moments
- gentle pacing for intimate settings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer straightforward, catchy tunes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Upon the release of Cedar!, Cedar Walton was establishing himself as a prominent voice in the jazz scene, following his work with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. This album came shortly after his debut as a bandleader and marked a significant step in defining his unique style, characterized by a blend of hard bop and post-bop influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- McCoy Tyner· Chick Corea· Bill Evans
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Turquoise Twice
- 2 Twilight Waltz
- 3 My Ship
- 4 Short Stuff
- 5 Head and Shoulders
- 6 Come Sunday
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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