Is Desafinado a good place to start with Coleman Hawkins?

Yes, Desafinado is recommended as a starting point for new Coleman Hawkins listeners. A vibrant fusion of jazz and bossa nova, blending intricate melodies with smooth, laid-back rhythms. By the time 'Desafinado' was released in 1962, Coleman Hawkins had already established himself as a leading figure in jazz saxophone. This album marked his exploration into bossa nova, following the success of the genre in the United States, showcasing his adaptability during a period of musical evolution.

Who is Desafinado for?

Desafinado works well if you're into vibrant, uplifting listening sessions, short, engaging tracks and smooth background ambiance.

How many songs are on Desafinado?

Desafinado has 8 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Desafinado

Coleman Hawkins · 1962

35 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of jazz and bossa nova, blending intricate melodies with smooth, laid-back rhythms.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Desafinado Start here — The title track elegantly captures the essence of bossa nova, blending lyrical saxophone lines with a gentle rhythm that showcases Hawkins' mastery and innovation.
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One Note Samba (Samba de uma nota so) — This track exemplifies the interplay between melody and rhythm typical of bossa nova, highlighting Hawkins' improvisational skills against a lush harmonic backdrop.
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I Remember You — Hawkins' emotive phrasing and rich tone bring this classic tune to life, illustrating his ability to convey deep feeling through instrumental performance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends jazz and bossa nova, showcasing strong melodies and cohesive arrangements.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a prominent saxophone melody accompanied by soft percussion and guitar, establishing a bossa nova feel.
Each track maintains a consistent tempo, with rhythmic variations primarily driven by the interplay between the saxophone and the rhythm section.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response patterns between the saxophone and other instruments, enhancing the conversational quality of the music.
The final track features a gradual fade-out, creating a sense of closure while leaving the listener in a relaxed state.

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: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

vibrant, uplifting listening sessions
short, engaging tracks
smooth background ambiance
playful and rhythmic energy

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Popularized bossa nova in jazz, establishing Hawkins' wider recognition.
Career context: By the time 'Desafinado' was released in 1962, Coleman Hawkins had already established himself as a leading figure in jazz saxophone. This album marked his exploration into bossa nova, following the success of the genre in the United States, showcasing his adaptability during a period of musical evolution.
Stylistic neighbors: Ben Webster· Lester Young· John Coltrane