What makes Crosscurrents by Lennie Tristano notable?

'Crosscurrents' is significant for its forward-thinking compositions that reflect Tristano's unique perspective on jazz, contributing to the evolution of modern jazz. The album received critical acclaim for its intricate arrangements and is often cited as an important work within the genre, influencing subsequent generations of jazz musicians. By the time 'Crosscurrents' was released in 1972, Lennie Tristano had already established himself as a pioneering figure in jazz, known for his innovative approach to improvisation. This album marked a continuation of his exploration into uncharted territories of jazz after his influential works in the late 1940s and early 1950s, showcasing his unique style and mentorship of younger musicians.

How many songs are on Crosscurrents?

Crosscurrents has 13 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Crosscurrents

Lennie Tristano · 1972

37 min · 13 tracks · jazz

A cerebral blend of intricate melodies and improvisational finesse, weaving through jazz's harmonic landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Wow — The opener features a playful interplay between instruments, setting a dynamic tone that encapsulates Tristano's innovative approach to rhythm and melody.
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Cross Current — This track exemplifies Tristano's complex harmonic language, showcasing his ability to weave intricate melodies over shifting rhythms.
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Sax of a Kind — With its distinctive saxophone lines, this piece highlights the collaborative spirit of Tristano's ensemble while pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz phrasing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

Intricate melodies and innovative arrangements mark this as a significant jazz work, though its cohesion is less consistent.

What we noticed

The instrumentation varies throughout, with different combinations of piano, saxophone, and bass leading the arrangements in distinct ways.

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: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Wow 3:22
2 Cross Current 2:50
3 Yesterdays 2:50
4 Marionette 3:05
5 Sax of a Kind 3:01
6 Intuition 2:30
7 Digression 3:07
8 A Bird in Igor's Yard 2:50
9 This Time the Dream's on Me 3:05
10 Extrovert 2:52
11 Good for Nothing Joe 2:49
12 Aishie 3:02
13 Opus 96 2:35

What to play next

Listen next

Descent Into the Maelstrom

1978

Go back to

The New Tristano

1962

Full Lennie Tristano discography Artists like Lennie Tristano

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata