Is Change a good place to start with Chick Corea?

Yes, Change is recommended as a starting point for new Chick Corea listeners. A dynamic fusion of avant-garde jazz and flamenco rhythms, showcasing Corea's virtuosic piano alongside innovative ensemble interplay. By the time 'Change' was released in 1999, Chick Corea had established himself as a leading figure in jazz, following his groundbreaking work with Return to Forever and numerous acclaimed solo projects. This album marked a continued exploration of diverse styles, reflecting his evolution as an artist who consistently sought out new musical horizons.

Change works well if you're into dynamic exploration of musical themes, wave-like pacing with surprises and for afternoon relaxation.

How many songs are on Change?

Change has 11 tracks, running approximately 70 minutes.

Change

Chick Corea · 1999

70 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A dynamic fusion of avant-garde jazz and flamenco rhythms, showcasing Corea's virtuosic piano alongside innovative ensemble interplay.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Wigwam Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Armando's Tango — This track features a captivating interplay between rhythm and melody, highlighting Corea's signature blend of Latin influences with intricate jazz improvisation.
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Little Flamenco — Infused with Spanish guitar elements, this piece showcases Corea's ability to merge cultural influences seamlessly while demonstrating his technical prowess on the piano.
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Compassion (Ballad) — A poignant ballad that highlights Corea's emotive playing style, this track encapsulates the album's thematic depth and showcases the ensemble's cohesive sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album blends avant-garde jazz with flamenco, showcasing Corea's virtuosity and innovative ensemble work.

What we noticed

Corea's piano leads are often accompanied by intricate percussion patterns that shift throughout the tracks, creating a dynamic interplay.
Several pieces, such as 'Compassion (Ballad)', showcase extended improvisation sections that allow for exploration of themes rather than strict adherence to melody.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic exploration of musical themes
wave-like pacing with surprises
for afternoon relaxation
rich melodies for detail listening
cathartic moments of reflection

Maybe skip if you

seekers of instant gratification
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — It showcases a blend of avant-garde jazz and flamenco, pushing traditional boundaries.
Themes: flamenco fusion· Spanish guitar landscapes· dynamic ensemble interplay
Career context: By the time 'Change' was released in 1999, Chick Corea had established himself as a leading figure in jazz, following his groundbreaking work with Return to Forever and numerous acclaimed solo projects. This album marked a continued exploration of diverse styles, reflecting his evolution as an artist who consistently sought out new musical horizons.
Stylistic neighbors: Herbie Hancock· Keith Jarrett· McCoy Tyner