What makes Coin Coin Chapter Three: River Run Thee by Matana Roberts notable?

This album received widespread critical acclaim, with publications like The Wire praising its innovative exploration of race and identity through music. Its impact was further highlighted by its inclusion in numerous year-end lists, affirming Roberts’ role in expanding the boundaries of jazz and narrative form. Released in 2015, 'Coin Coin Chapter Three: River Run Thee' is Matana Roberts' third installment in her ambitious 'Coin Coin' series. This album follows her critically acclaimed second chapter, which established her unique blend of avant-garde jazz and storytelling. At this point in her career, Roberts was solidifying her reputation as a groundbreaking artist within the contemporary jazz scene.

How many songs are on Coin Coin Chapter Three: River Run Thee?

Coin Coin Chapter Three: River Run Thee has 12 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Coin Coin Chapter Three: River Run Thee

Matana Roberts · 2015

45 min · 12 tracks · jazz

A tapestry of jazz, spoken word, and field recordings that weaves together personal and collective histories with deep emotional resonance.

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Top tracks — play these first

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All Is Written — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its expansive soundscape and poignant themes of legacy and memory, drawing listeners into Roberts' intricate world.
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The Good Book Says — In this track, Roberts intertwines spoken word with musical elements to critique societal norms, showcasing her ability to blend genres while delivering powerful messages.
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Always Say Your Name — This brief yet impactful piece highlights the personal nature of identity, using minimalist instrumentation to emphasize the emotional weight of naming and recognition.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album's innovative blend of genres and deep thematic content makes it stand out in contemporary jazz.

What we noticed

Field recordings are integrated throughout the tracks, adding layers of texture and context to the musical compositions.
Several tracks utilize unconventional structures, often eschewing traditional verse-chorus forms in favor of free-form improvisation and thematic exploration.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 All Is Written 10:05
2 The Good Book Says 2:39
3 Clothed to the Land, Worn by the Sea 3:24
4 Dreamer of Dreams 4:32
5 Always Say Your Name 1:52
6 Nema, Nema, Nema 4:19
7 A Single Man o'War 2:05
8 As Years Roll By 4:05
9 This Land Is Yours 3:44
10 Come Away 5:25
11 With Me Seek 0:57
12 J.P. 2:23

What to play next

Listen next

Always.

2015

Go back to

Feldspar

2014

Full Matana Roberts discography Artists like Matana Roberts

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata