What makes Faces of Hope by Andrew Hill notable?

Faces of Hope received critical acclaim for its bold experimentation and complexity, solidifying Hill's reputation as a leading figure in avant-garde jazz. The album is often cited for its innovative approach to structure and harmony, influencing a generation of jazz musicians and composers. Released in 1980, Faces of Hope marked Andrew Hill's return to the recording scene after a significant hiatus since his previous album, Grass Roots (1971). This album showcases Hill’s distinctive compositional style and improvisational prowess during a time when he was re-establishing his presence in the jazz community.

How many songs are on Faces of Hope?

Faces of Hope has 4 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Faces of Hope

Andrew Hill · 1980

40 min · 4 tracks · jazz

A sprawling avant-garde jazz journey that melds intricate rhythms with rich harmonic explorations.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Rob It Mohe — The opening track is an expansive exploration of rhythm and dissonance, setting the tone for the entire album with its intricate interplay between piano and horns.
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Bayside 1 — This lengthy piece showcases Hill's ability to blend traditional jazz elements with avant-garde techniques, featuring dynamic shifts that keep listeners engaged throughout its duration.
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Ceora — A more lyrical contrast to the surrounding pieces, this track highlights Hill’s melodic sensibilities while still maintaining an exploratory spirit within its structure.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate compositions and bold improvisations mark it as a significant work in avant-garde jazz.

What we noticed

The album features four tracks, with the first two being more structured and melodic, while the last two explore free improvisation and abstract soundscapes.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Rob It Mohe 14:55
2 Ceora 5:22
3 Bayside 1 15:30
4 Bayside 2 4:31

What to play next

Listen next

Verona Rag

1987

Go back to

Strange Serenade

1980

Full Andrew Hill discography Artists like Andrew Hill

avant-garde jazz bebop hard bop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata