Released 70 years ago
Clifford Brown and Max Roach at Basin Street
Clifford Brown · 1956
76 min · 15 tracks · jazz
A vibrant interplay of brass and percussion that captures the exuberance of early jazz improvisation.
Top tracks — play these first
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What Is This Thing Called Love? — The opening track exemplifies the dynamic interplay between Brown's soaring trumpet lines and Roach's intricate drumming, showcasing their mastery of rhythm and melody.
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I'll Remember April — This rendition highlights Brown's lyrical tone and technical prowess, delivering an emotionally resonant performance that has become a staple within the jazz canon.
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Gertrude's Bounce — With its upbeat tempo and playful interaction between band members, this track captures the joyous spirit of the album while demonstrating Brown's improvisational skills.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong improvisation and chemistry between musicians, solidifying its place in jazz history.
What we noticed
- Each track maintains a brisk tempo, with the ensemble consistently pushing forward, creating an energetic atmosphere throughout.
- Several tracks include intricate solos that highlight Brown's virtuosic trumpet technique, often accompanied by Roach's dynamic drumming.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
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
- wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts
- exploratory listening for enthusiasts
- melodic intricacies that invite attention
- intimate sessions with vivid improvisation
- nostalgic reflections on classic themes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek straightforward, predictable rhythms
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 1956, Clifford Brown was establishing himself as a leading figure in jazz following his breakthrough with the Max Roach Quintet. This album, recorded live at Basin Street, showcases their remarkable chemistry and innovative approaches less than a year before Brown's untimely death in a car accident.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Max Roach· Art Blakey· Lee Morgan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 What Is This Thing Called Love? 7:37
- 2 Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 4:17
- 3 I'll Remember April 9:16
- 4 Powell's Prances 3:31
- 5 Time 5:07
- 6 The Scene Is Clean 6:08
- 7 Gertrude's Bounce 4:14
- 8 Step Lightly (Junior's Arrival) 3:37
- 9 Flossie Lou 3:59
- 10 What Is This Thing Called Love? (alternative take) 8:22
- 11 Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (breakdown) 0:45
- 12 Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (alternative take) 3:57
- 13 I'll Remember April (breakdown) 1:25
- 14 I'll Remember April (alternative take) 9:46
- 15 Flossie Lou (alternative take) 4:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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