Is Floratone II a good place to start with Bill Frisell?

Yes, Floratone II is recommended as a starting point for new Bill Frisell listeners. A vibrant tapestry of improvisation blending jazz, Americana, and ambient influences into a cohesive sonic journey. By the time of its release in 2012, Floratone II marked Bill Frisell's ongoing exploration of collaborative improvisation. This album followed the original Floratone project from 2007, showcasing his artistic evolution and affinity for blending genres with like-minded musicians. Frisell was well-established in the contemporary jazz scene, known for his innovative guitar work and genre-defying collaborations.

Who is Floratone II for?

Floratone II works well if you're into steady flow with vibrant improvisation, short tracks for focused listening and intricate melodies for attention seekers.

How many songs are on Floratone II?

Floratone II has 13 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Floratone II

Bill Frisell · 2012

38 min · 13 tracks · jazz

A vibrant tapestry of improvisation blending jazz, Americana, and ambient influences into a cohesive sonic journey.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Bloom is On Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its bright melodies and intricate interplay between instruments, showcasing Frisell's signature blend of jazz and folk elements.
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More Pluck — The track features playful rhythms and a spirited dialogue among musicians, highlighting the spontaneous nature of the album's collaborative spirit.
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Do You Have It? — This piece contrasts melodic richness with rhythmic complexity, exemplifying the album's experimental edge while remaining accessible to listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

72 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate improvisation and a cohesive blend of styles, rewarding repeated listens.

What we noticed

The album features extended tracks, with several pieces exceeding six minutes, allowing for deep improvisational exploration.
Each track often shifts dynamics and textures, moving from sparse arrangements to dense layers of sound without clear transitions.
Instruments frequently overlap in melody and rhythm, creating a fluid conversation rather than distinct solos.
The final track fades out gradually, leaving an ambient echo that contrasts with the more structured pieces earlier in the album.

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

Influence 2/10

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

steady flow with vibrant improvisation
short tracks for focused listening
intricate melodies for attention seekers
rich soundscapes for reflective moments

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek high-energy instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Shows a deliberate exploration of collaborative improvisation and diverse musical styles.
Themes: collaborative improvisation· Americana soundscapes· vibrant sonic tapestry
Career context: By the time of its release in 2012, Floratone II marked Bill Frisell's ongoing exploration of collaborative improvisation. This album followed the original Floratone project from 2007, showcasing his artistic evolution and affinity for blending genres with like-minded musicians. Frisell was well-established in the contemporary jazz scene, known for his innovative guitar work and genre-defying collaborations.
Stylistic neighbors: Pat Metheny· John Abercrombie· Julian Lage