Is Collaboration a good place to start with Modern Jazz Quartet?

Yes, Collaboration is recommended as a starting point for new Modern Jazz Quartet listeners. A seamless blend of classical guitar and cool jazz harmonies creates an elegant and sophisticated listening experience. By the time 'Collaboration' was released in 1964, the Modern Jazz Quartet had cemented their reputation as pioneers of cool jazz. This album marked a significant partnership with Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida, showcasing a fusion of jazz and classical influences that expanded the quartet's sonic palette following their previous successful albums.

Who is Collaboration for?

Collaboration works well if you're into patient unfolding of melodies, long immersive closing track and engaging conversational interplay.

How many songs are on Collaboration?

Collaboration has 7 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Collaboration

Modern Jazz Quartet · 1964

38 min · 7 tracks · cool jazz

A seamless blend of classical guitar and cool jazz harmonies creates an elegant and sophisticated listening experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Silver Start here — Opening with a graceful interplay between piano and guitar, this track establishes the album's serene yet intricate atmosphere, setting the tone for the collaboration.
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Concierto de Aranjuez — This extended piece showcases Almeida’s classical background while allowing the quartet to explore complex arrangements, highlighting their virtuosity and emotional depth.
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One Note Samba — The reinterpretation of this bossa nova classic introduces rhythmic playfulness, illustrating the quartet's ability to embrace and innovate within diverse musical traditions.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album displays strong composition and craft but lacks broader cultural recognition.

What we noticed

The final track, 'Concierto de Aranjuez', is an extended piece that incorporates classical elements, creating a distinct shift in style from the preceding tracks.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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

patient unfolding of melodies
long immersive closing track
engaging conversational interplay
introspective moments of reflection

Maybe skip if you

prefer high-energy tracks
want quick, catchy tunes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A solid entry in the catalog that doesn't fit more prominent roles.
Themes: Brazilian bossa nova· cool jazz elegance
Career context: By the time 'Collaboration' was released in 1964, the Modern Jazz Quartet had cemented their reputation as pioneers of cool jazz. This album marked a significant partnership with Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida, showcasing a fusion of jazz and classical influences that expanded the quartet's sonic palette following their previous successful albums.
Stylistic neighbors: Bill Evans· Dave Brubeck· Gerry Mulligan