What makes Cheshire Cat by Ronnie Foster notable?

Cheshire Cat received critical acclaim upon release, praised for its innovative sound and musicianship. It has since influenced a generation of jazz-funk artists and is often cited for its forward-thinking approach to blending genres. Released in 1975, Cheshire Cat was Ronnie Foster's debut album, marking the beginning of his solo career after working as a session musician. The album set the stage for his distinctive fusion of jazz and funk, which would characterize his subsequent works.

How many songs are on Cheshire Cat?

Cheshire Cat has 6 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Cheshire Cat

Ronnie Foster · 1975

36 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of jazz and soul, showcasing intricate keyboard work and a lively rhythm section that invites movement.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Funky Motion — This track exemplifies the album's upbeat energy with its infectious groove and elaborate instrumental interplay, showcasing Foster's prowess as a keyboardist.
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Tuesday Heartbreak — The song features soulful vocals layered over complex arrangements, highlighting Foster's ability to merge lyrical storytelling with intricate musicality.
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Cheshire Cat — Serving as the album's title track, it encapsulates the playful essence of Foster's style, with a mix of whimsical melodies and captivating rhythms.

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

Cheshire Cat showcases strong musicianship and a cohesive sound, marking a notable debut in jazz-funk.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of electric piano, which drives the melodic lines across all six tracks.
Each track maintains a lively tempo, with rhythmic interplay between the keyboard and the drums that encourages movement.
The final track introduces a slower groove, creating a contrast that allows the album to conclude on a reflective note.

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 Like a Child 4:57
2 Tuesday Heartbreak 4:47
3 Fly Away 6:18
4 Funky Motion 8:13
5 Cheshire Cat 8:10
6 Heartless 3:45

What to play next

Go back to

On the Avenue

1974

Full Ronnie Foster discography Artists like Ronnie Foster

jazz soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata