What makes Erzulie Maketh Scent by Cecil Taylor notable?

'Erzulie Maketh Scent' is notable for its ambitious structure and lengthy pieces, contributing to Taylor's reputation for pushing boundaries in jazz. The album received critical acclaim for its innovative approach, further solidifying Taylor's influence on the avant-garde movement and inspiring subsequent generations of musicians. By the time 'Erzulie Maketh Scent' was released in 1989, Cecil Taylor had already established himself as a pivotal figure in avant-garde jazz since the late 1950s. This album followed his acclaimed works from the 1970s and 1980s, showcasing his continued evolution as an artist while delving deeper into extended compositions that challenged traditional jazz forms.

Who is Erzulie Maketh Scent for?

Erzulie Maketh Scent works well if you're into long gradual exploration of sound, immersive listening for introspection and ethereal textures inviting deep focus.

How many songs are on Erzulie Maketh Scent?

Erzulie Maketh Scent has 5 tracks, running approximately 74 minutes.

Erzulie Maketh Scent

Cecil Taylor · 1989

74 min · 5 tracks · jazz

An immersive exploration of avant-garde jazz, blending intricate piano improvisations with a tapestry of unconventional soundscapes.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Erzulie Maketh Scent, Part I — The opening segment establishes the album's profound thematic depth with its lengthy improvisational exploration, setting a meditative tone that permeates the entire work.
→
Erzulie Maketh Scent, Part II — This part intensifies the sonic experimentation, featuring complex rhythmic patterns that highlight Taylor's virtuosity and his unique approach to composition.
→
Water — At just over a minute long, this brief interlude contrasts sharply with longer tracks, creating a moment of introspection amidst the album's expansive explorations.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate improvisation and unique soundscapes, solidifying Taylor's avant-garde approach to jazz.

What we noticed

The album consists of five lengthy tracks, with the first three forming a continuous suite that explores various themes and motifs.
Piano improvisations dominate the sound, often accompanied by unconventional percussive elements and extended techniques.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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

long gradual exploration of sound
immersive listening for introspection
ethereal textures inviting deep focus
patient unfolding of rhythmic complexity

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, immediate gratification
seek concise, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'Erzulie Maketh Scent' was released in 1989, Cecil Taylor had already established himself as a pivotal figure in avant-garde jazz since the late 1950s. This album followed his acclaimed works from the 1970s and 1980s, showcasing his continued evolution as an artist while delving deeper into extended compositions that challenged traditional jazz forms.
Stylistic neighbors: Sun Ra· Ornette Coleman· Anthony Braxton