Released 10 years ago
Flaga: Book of Angels Volume 27
Craig Taborn · 2016
48 min · 9 tracks · jazz
An intricate tapestry of avant-garde jazz, combining complex rhythms with meditative improvisation across its rich soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Machnia — Opening the album, this track sets a tone of rhythmic complexity and exploratory textures that characterizes the entire work. Its length allows for an immersive journey through improvisational landscapes.
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Shoftiel — This track stands out for its striking balance between tension and release, showcasing Taborn's mastery of dynamics and flow within the ensemble. The extended length allows for deeper exploration of its themes.
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Talmai (take 1) — This version reveals a raw, unfiltered creativity that captures the essence of live improvisation while remaining anchored to Zorn's compositional framework. It's a highlight of spontaneity on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases complex compositions and improvisation, creating a distinctive avant-garde jazz experience.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate interplay between piano and percussion, with each track exploring different rhythmic structures.
- Improvisation is a key element, as the musicians often deviate from the written score to create spontaneous dialogues.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- 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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- meditative improvisation with intricate rhythms
- exploratory listening for detailed nuances
- cerebral engagement through complex structures
- dynamic shifts in pacing and
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, catchy tunes
- seek predictable song formats
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Upon releasing Flaga: Book of Angels Volume 27 in February 2016, Craig Taborn was already an established figure in the jazz scene, known for his innovative approach and collaborations. This album marked a significant contribution to the 'Book of Angels' series by John Zorn, further solidifying Taborn's role as a leading voice in contemporary jazz.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jason Moran· Tigran Hamasyan· Brad Mehldau
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Machnia 7:59
- 2 Peliel 4:34
- 3 Katzfiel 4:18
- 4 Talmai (take 1) 4:43
- 5 Shoftiel 10:42
- 6 Agbas 4:08
- 7 Rogziel 2:38
- 8 Harbonah 4:10
- 9 Talmai (take 2) 5:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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