Is Crosscurrents a good place to start with Bill Evans?

Yes, Crosscurrents is recommended as a starting point for new Bill Evans listeners. Intricate piano harmonies weave through lush arrangements, embodying the spirit of cool jazz with a meditative elegance. By 1977, Bill Evans was a seasoned jazz pianist known for his innovative contributions to the genre. 'Crosscurrents' arrived after his acclaimed album 'New Conversations' and showcased his continued evolution in modal jazz, reflecting both his signature style and a willingness to explore new textures through collaborative efforts.

Who is Crosscurrents for?

Crosscurrents works well if you're into intimate piano reflections, dynamic exploration of themes and wave-like pacing throughout.

How many songs are on Crosscurrents?

Crosscurrents has 9 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

Crosscurrents

Bill Evans · 1977

50 min · 9 tracks · jazz

Intricate piano harmonies weave through lush arrangements, embodying the spirit of cool jazz with a meditative elegance.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Eiderdown Start here — The track features a captivating blend of rhythmic complexity and lyrical melodies that exemplify Evans' unique approach to jazz composition.
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Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye — This interpretation showcases Evans' emotive playing style, transforming the standard into a deeply personal exploration of longing and farewell.
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Night and Day — Evans' reinterpretation of this classic illustrates his ability to fuse technical mastery with emotional expression, creating a distinctive atmosphere.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Intricate compositions and strong musicianship define this later work by Evans, though it lacks some cohesion due to alternate takes.

What we noticed

The album features intricate piano harmonies that often interlock, creating a rich tapestry of sound.
Each track is built around a central theme, with variations and improvisations that showcase the musicians' interplay.
The first five tracks maintain a consistent tempo and mood, while the last four tracks include alternate takes that provide different interpretations of the earlier pieces.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

intimate piano reflections
dynamic exploration of themes
wave-like pacing throughout
serene yet complex melodies

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward, upbeat tracks
seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Represents a strong late work showcasing Evans' continued influence in jazz.
Career context: By 1977, Bill Evans was a seasoned jazz pianist known for his innovative contributions to the genre. 'Crosscurrents' arrived after his acclaimed album 'New Conversations' and showcased his continued evolution in modal jazz, reflecting both his signature style and a willingness to explore new textures through collaborative efforts.
Stylistic neighbors: Chick Corea· Keith Jarrett· Herbie Hancock