Comin' in the Back Door
Wynton Kelly · 1963
27 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of hard bop and melodic jazz, showcasing fluid improvisation over rhythmic grooves.
Top tracks — play these first
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Comin’ in the Back Door — This title track encapsulates the album's playful spirit with its catchy melody and engaging rhythm, highlighting Kelly’s prowess in blending jazz sophistication with accessibility.
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Nocturne — A standout for its contemplative mood, this piece showcases Kelly's lyrical piano lines, demonstrating his ability to evoke emotion through subtle phrasing.
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To Kill a Mockingbird — This track stands out for its haunting interpretation of the film score, illustrating Kelly’s capacity to transform popular themes into rich jazz textures that invite deep listening.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends vibrant grooves with fluid improvisation, showcasing Kelly's unique style as a bandleader.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of syncopated rhythms across all tracks, establishing a lively groove that invites improvisation.
- Each track typically showcases extended solos from the piano, often accompanied by a tight rhythm section that maintains momentum.
- Several pieces incorporate modal changes that create a sense of movement and exploration within the improvisational sections.
- 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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7/10
- 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
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 If That’s the Way You Want It 2:37
- 2 Comin’ in the Back Door 2:23
- 3 Don’t Wait Too Long 2:09
- 4 Nocturne 2:42
- 5 The Bitter End 2:06
- 6 Theme From “Burke’s Law” 2:10
- 7 Quiet Village 3:11
- 8 Caesar and Cleopatra Theme 3:11
- 9 Signing Off 2:28
- 10 Little Tracy 2:37
- 11 To Kill a Mockingbird 2:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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