What makes Driving Force by 3rd Force notable?

Driving Force received acclaim for its innovative blend of smooth jazz and contemporary influences, reaching notable positions on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart. The album helped solidify 3rd Force's reputation and contributed to the broader acceptance of instrumental jazz during the mid-1990s. Released in 1994, Driving Force is 3rd Force's debut album, marking the beginning of their influence in the smooth jazz genre. At this point, the group was establishing its identity, combining elements of jazz and world music to create a distinctive sound that would resonate with listeners.

How many songs are on Driving Force?

Driving Force has 11 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

Driving Force

3rd Force

46 min · 11 tracks · smooth jazz

Lush melodies intertwine with smooth grooves, creating a soothing auditory journey that embodies contemporary jazz sophistication.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Believe in Me — This track opens the album with an inviting melody and sets the tone for the exploration of themes like hope and connection throughout.
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Real Thing — Real Thing features a captivating saxophone solo that showcases the band's commitment to melodic storytelling within their compositions.
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An Open Heart — This track stands out for its emotional depth, blending smooth textures with heartfelt instrumentation that resonates with listeners on a personal level.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

Driving Force blends smooth jazz with world influences, showcasing solid craftsmanship but lacking standout compositions.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of layered instrumentation, with saxophones and keyboards often taking turns in the lead.
Tracks generally maintain a mid-tempo groove, with only a few moments that shift to slower or faster rhythms.
Several pieces incorporate world music elements, such as percussion and melodic scales, which add depth to the smooth jazz foundation.

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

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 Believe in Me 5:19
2 Ask Me Why 4:27
3 Real Thing 4:30
4 You Got It 4:34
5 Get With It 4:20
6 An Open Heart 4:30
7 Is She Ready? 4:21
8 Gotta Gotta 4:17
9 This Is the One (intro) 1:03
10 This Is the One 4:54
11 Inside the Rhythm 4:20

What to play next

Full 3rd Force discography Artists like 3rd Force

smooth jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata