What makes Deep Roots by Lorez Alexandria notable?

Deep Roots received notable acclaim for its sophisticated arrangements and Alexandria's expressive vocal delivery, helping to cement her place within the jazz scene of the early 1960s. The album has been praised for its artistic merit and is often cited in discussions about significant jazz vocal recordings of the era. Released in 1962, Deep Roots marked Lorez Alexandria's first album on the prestigious label Impulse! after a series of performances that established her as a significant voice in jazz. At this point in her career, she was transitioning from local club performances to wider recognition, showcasing her ability to interpret classic standards with a unique emotional depth.

How many songs are on Deep Roots?

Deep Roots has 10 tracks, running approximately 28 minutes.

Deep Roots

Lorez Alexandria · 1962

28 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A warm, intimate blend of jazz standards delivered with rich emotion and Alexandria's enchanting vocal clarity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Nature Boy — This track opens the album with a hauntingly beautiful interpretation that showcases Alexandria's vocal range and emotional depth, setting the tone for the entire record.
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I Want to Talk About You — Alexandria's rendition transforms this classic into a deeply personal statement, highlighting her ability to infuse standard songs with originality and feeling.
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Softly as in a Morning Sunrise — The track features a captivating interplay between vocals and instrumentation, demonstrating Alexandria's skill in interpreting complex melodies effortlessly.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong vocal performances and sophisticated arrangements, contributing to its lasting appeal.

What we noticed

The album opens with a slow tempo on 'Nature Boy' and maintains a relaxed pace throughout, with only slight variations in tempo across the tracks.
Each track features Alexandria's vocals prominently, often accompanied by lush instrumental arrangements that enhance the emotional delivery.
Several songs utilize extended instrumental sections, allowing for improvisation and interaction between the musicians, particularly in 'Softly as in a Morning Sunrise'.
The final track, 'I Want to Talk About You', concludes with a gradual fade-out, creating a sense of closure after the intimate journey.

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

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Nature Boy 2:45
2 I Was a Fool 3:19
3 No Moon at All 2:10
4 Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year 2:58
5 Softly as in a Morning Sunrise 2:30
6 Detour Ahead 3:33
7 It Could Happen to You 2:40
8 Travlin Light 3:20
9 Almost Like Being in Love 2:18
10 I Want to Talk About You 2:48

What to play next

Listen next

For Swingers Only

1963

Go back to

Sing No Sad Songs for Me

1961

Full Lorez Alexandria discography Artists like Lorez Alexandria

jazz vocal jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata