Dark Beauty
Kenny Drew · 1974
66 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A lush exploration of jazz harmonies and rhythmic intricacies, blending hard bop with rich melodic textures.
Top tracks — play these first
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All Blues — Drew's interpretation of this Miles Davis classic showcases his skillful piano work and ability to imbue the piece with fresh energy, making it a standout on the album.
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Dark Beauty — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its haunting melodies and complex rhythms, demonstrating Drew's unique compositional style.
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Summer Night — This track highlights Drew's lyrical playing and sensitivity to mood, creating a serene atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the more energetic pieces.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong compositions with intricate arrangements but lacks broader cultural reach.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush harmonic progressions, with intricate piano lines interwoven with subtle rhythmic shifts.
- Each track typically extends beyond five minutes, allowing for extended improvisation and exploration of themes.
- 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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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- lush melodic explorations at night
- patient unfolding of intricate harmonies
- long tracks for deep focus
- warm ambiance for late evenings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, energetic music
- want short, punchy songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Dark Beauty' was released in 1974, Kenny Drew was an established pianist in the jazz scene, known for his contributions to hard bop and post-bop. This album followed his earlier work in the 1960s, showcasing his evolution as a bandleader and composer while collaborating with prominent musicians.
- Stylistic neighbors
- McCoy Tyner· Chick Corea· Bill Evans
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Run Away 6:18
- 2 Dark Beauty 5:37
- 3 Summer Night 4:09
- 4 All Blues 6:27
- 5 A Felicidade 6:00
- 6 It Could Happen to You 6:58
- 7 Love Letters 5:14
- 8 Silk Bossa 5:06
- 9 Blues Inn 4:54
- 10 In Your Own Sweet Way 7:15
- 11 A Stranger in Paradise 8:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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