Released 50 years ago
Coming Out
The Manhattan Transfer · 1976
35 min · 11 tracks · blues
A vibrant blend of jazz harmonies and a cappella vocals, infused with playful rhythms and rich melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Don’t Let Go — This track opens the album with infectious energy, showcasing the group's tight harmonies and dynamic vocal interplay that set the tone for the entire record.
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Chanson d’amour — A standout that highlights the group's smooth blending of jazz and pop sensibilities, featuring intricate vocal arrangements that elevate its romantic theme.
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Scotch and Soda — This interpretation combines playful lyrics with jazzy instrumentation, demonstrating the group's ability to infuse traditional songs with their signature style.
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Poinciana (The Song of the Tree) — The lush arrangement and layered vocals create an atmospheric experience, showcasing The Manhattan Transfer's harmonization skills and emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal arrangements and playful rhythms, contributing to its distinct sound within jazz.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate vocal arrangements where multiple voices harmonize in complex patterns, particularly evident in tracks like 'Don’t Let Go' and 'Zindy Lou'.
- Several tracks incorporate playful rhythmic shifts, such as the transition from a slow groove to an upbeat tempo in 'The Speak Up Mambo (Cuéntame)'.
- The final track, 'The Thought of Loving You', closes the album with a softer dynamic, contrasting with the more energetic earlier songs.
- 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 energy levels
- short, engaging listening sessions
- uplifting and joyful vibes
- smooth, flowing transitions
- conversational and playful tones
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1976, Coming Out was The Manhattan Transfer's third studio album and marked a significant moment in their career as they began to gain broader recognition. Following the success of their earlier albums, this record showcased their evolving sound and cemented their place in the jazz and pop landscape of the mid-1970s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Swingle Singers· Pentatonix· Vocalosity
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Helpless
The moment shifts from a reflective tone to an urgent plea as the singer confronts vulnerability amidst love’s complexities.
This shift captures a raw emotional intensity that contrasts with the previously mellow vibe, adding depth to the narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Don’t Let Go 2:45
- 2 Zindy Lou 2:51
- 3 Chanson d’amour 2:54
- 4 Helpless 2:54
- 5 Scotch and Soda 3:01
- 6 The Speak Up Mambo (Cuéntame) 3:01
- 7 Poinciana (The Song of the Tree) 4:12
- 8 S.O.S. 3:10
- 9 Popsicle Toes 4:16
- 10 It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference 3:30
- 11 The Thought of Loving You 2:54
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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