Finding Gabriel
Brad Mehldau · 2019
55 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A contemplative blend of jazz improvisation and lyrical storytelling, weaving existential themes through intricate melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Garden Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a reflective tone with a delicate interplay between piano and subtle rhythm, symbolizing the introspective journey that follows.
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O Ephraim — This track features a haunting melody paired with rich harmonies, encapsulating the spiritual longing that permeates the album, making it a standout piece.
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Finding Gabriel — The title track culminates the album's themes with a layered composition that balances tension and release, serving as an emotional apex of the work.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalFinding Gabriel showcases intricate compositions and blends jazz with spoken word, marking it as distinctive within contemporary jazz.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, blending narrative with instrumental improvisation.
- The final track extends over eight minutes, gradually building in intensity before concluding with a reflective passage.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing that invites reflection
- contemplative melodies for introspective moments
- dynamic exploration with emotional depth
- spiritual searching through intricate harmonies
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat and fast-paced tracks
- seek immediate gratification in music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Noted for its ambitious blending of jazz and spoken word, showcasing artistic evolution.
- Career context
- When Brad Mehldau released Finding Gabriel in 2019, he was already an established figure in the jazz world, known for his innovative piano work. This album followed his 2018 collaboration with composer and musician John Adams, showcasing a shift towards more narrative-driven compositions and expanding his stylistic palette.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Esbjörn Svensson Trio· Tigran Hamasyan· Robert Glasper
Tracklist
- 1 The Garden Start here 7:18
- 2 Born to Trouble 4:01
- 3 Striving After Wind 4:38
- 4 O Ephraim 5:21
- 5 St. Mark Is Howling in the City of Night 6:20
- 6 The Prophet Is a Fool 6:47
- 7 Make It All Go Away 4:32
- 8 Deep Water 5:13
- 9 Proverb of Ashes 4:17
- 10 Finding Gabriel 7:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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