Is Change of the Century a good place to start with Ornette Coleman?

Yes, Change of the Century is recommended as a starting point for new Ornette Coleman listeners. A groundbreaking blend of free jazz improvisation and complex harmonics that defies traditional structures. Change of the Century marked Ornette Coleman's third album and solidified his reputation as a pioneer of free jazz. Released just a year after his seminal work, The Shape of Jazz to Come, this album further explored his radical approach to melody and harmony, pushing the boundaries of jazz in the late 1950s.

Who is Change of the Century for?

Change of the Century works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and steady, consistent energy levels.

How many songs are on Change of the Century?

Change of the Century has 7 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Change of the Century

Ornette Coleman · 1960

41 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A groundbreaking blend of free jazz improvisation and complex harmonics that defies traditional structures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Ramblin' Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its loose structure and spontaneous feel, embodying the essence of Coleman's free jazz approach. Its rhythmic complexity showcases the interplay between instruments that defines much of the record.
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Free — In this track, Coleman fully embraces improvisation, allowing each musician to express themselves without constraints. The fluidity of the performance exemplifies the album's central theme of liberation from traditional jazz forms.
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Change of the Century — The title track encapsulates the album's revolutionary spirit, featuring unconventional melodic lines and an emotional depth that reflects Coleman's vision for a new era in jazz. It serves as a manifesto for his artistic philosophy.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

81 /100

Summit

Higher than 100% of albums we've rated

The album's innovative structures and improvisational depth mark it as a significant work in free jazz.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate extended improvisation sections where melodies dissolve into free-form exploration, challenging traditional jazz structures.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
steady, consistent energy levels
atmospheric background focus

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Solidified Coleman's reputation as a pioneer of free jazz, gaining wider recognition.
Career context: Change of the Century marked Ornette Coleman's third album and solidified his reputation as a pioneer of free jazz. Released just a year after his seminal work, The Shape of Jazz to Come, this album further explored his radical approach to melody and harmony, pushing the boundaries of jazz in the late 1950s.
Stylistic neighbors: Albert Ayler· John Coltrane· Cecil Taylor