Released 60 years ago
Colors
Ken Nordine · 1966
54 min · 34 tracks
A whimsical exploration of colors through spoken word and jazz-inflected soundscapes, immersing listeners in a vibrant auditory palette.
Top tracks — play these first
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Olive — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its playful yet contemplative narration about the color olive, showcasing Nordine's unique ability to blend sound and imagery.
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Turquoise — In 'Turquoise,' the soothing rhythm coupled with vivid descriptions captures a serene essence that exemplifies Nordine's poetic prowess and thematic consistency throughout the album.
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Crimson — 'Crimson' stands out for its emotional depth, reflecting on the intensity of the color while using evocative language that invites listeners to engage with their own interpretations.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Nordine's unique blend of spoken word and jazz creates a distinctive exploration of color themes.
What we noticed
- Each track is named after a color and features Nordine's spoken word delivery accompanied by varying jazz instrumentation.
- The album maintains a consistent thematic focus on colors, with each piece exploring a different hue through both narrative and sound.
- Tracks vary significantly in length, with some being brief vignettes while others extend into more elaborate explorations of the theme.
- The jazz elements often shift in style from track to track, creating a diverse auditory landscape that complements the spoken content.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- steady, consistent listening flow
- whimsical, imaginative storytelling
- short, vivid sonic snapshots
- contemplative mood exploration
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1966, Colors marked Ken Nordine's fourth studio album, building on his established reputation for innovative radio and voice work. At this point, Nordine had already begun to carve out a unique niche at the intersection of poetry and music, further solidifying his distinctive style with this project.
- Stylistic neighbors
- William S. Burroughs· David Byrne· The Books
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Olive 1:33
- 2 Lavender 1:32
- 3 Burgundy 1:31
- 4 Yellow 1:35
- 5 Green 1:34
- 6 Beige 1:34
- 7 Maroon 1:39
- 8 Ecru 1:40
- 9 Chartreuse 1:33
- 10 Turquoise 1:34
- 11 White 1:41
- 12 Flesh 1:33
- 13 Azure 1:35
- 14 Puce 1:34
- 15 Magenta 1:34
- 16 Orange 1:29
- 17 Purple 1:35
- 18 Muddy 1:35
- 19 Russet 1:39
- 20 Amber 1:37
- 21 Blue 1:38
- 22 Black 1:39
- 23 Gold 1:34
- 24 Crimson 1:34
- 25 Brown 1:35
- 26 Rosey 1:36
- 27 Hazel 1:37
- 28 Mauve 1:34
- 29 Fuschia 1:33
- 30 Sepia 1:34
- 31 Nutria 1:33
- 32 Cerise 1:36
- 33 Grey 1:40
- 34 Coral 1:28
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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