Is Five a good place to start with Dave Douglas?

Yes, Five is recommended as a starting point for new Dave Douglas listeners. A boundary-pushing blend of intricate melodies and improvisational interplay, celebrating jazz's rich lineage through personal dedications. In 1996, Dave Douglas was establishing himself as a prominent figure in the jazz scene with 'Five', his sixth album. This release followed his critically acclaimed work 'Parallel Worlds' and marked a significant evolution in his compositional approach, showcasing his influences from both traditional jazz legends and contemporary avant-garde artists.

Five works well if you're into dynamic exploration of sound, wave-like pacing with contrasts and headphone detail hunting.

How many songs are on Five?

Five has 10 tracks, running approximately 59 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

Five

Dave Douglas · 1996

59 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A boundary-pushing blend of intricate melodies and improvisational interplay, celebrating jazz's rich lineage through personal dedications.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Mirrors (for Steve Lacy) Start here — This track encapsulates Douglas's ability to blend homage with originality, using Lacy’s influence to create a reflective dialogue within the music.
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Going, Going (for Wayne Shorter) — In this piece, Douglas channels Shorter's melodic sensibilities while introducing complex harmonic structures that push the boundaries of jazz composition.
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Actualities (for Woody Shaw) — Spanning over thirteen minutes, this track showcases an expansive improvisational journey that pays tribute to Shaw’s bold creativity while allowing space for individual expression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

68 /100

Alpine

Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate melodies and improvisational interplay, reflecting Douglas's innovative approach to jazz.

What we noticed

Each track features a distinct melodic theme that pays homage to the jazz figures they are dedicated to, creating a narrative through sound.
Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes and dynamic shifts, enhancing the sense of spontaneity and interaction among the players.

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

Influence 3/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic exploration of sound
wave-like pacing with contrasts
headphone detail hunting
deep emotional resonance throughout

Maybe skip if you

seeking straightforward, catchy tunes
prefer predictable song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Douglas's reputation in the jazz scene following critical acclaim.
Themes: jazz lineage· homage to legends· avant-garde improvisation
Moods: Melancholy· Introspective
Career context: In 1996, Dave Douglas was establishing himself as a prominent figure in the jazz scene with 'Five', his sixth album. This release followed his critically acclaimed work 'Parallel Worlds' and marked a significant evolution in his compositional approach, showcasing his influences from both traditional jazz legends and contemporary avant-garde artists.
Stylistic neighbors: Chris Potter· Avishai Cohen· Maria Schneider