Flowers Around Cleveland
62 min · 7 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of intricate improvisation and soulful melodies that encapsulates the essence of modern jazz.
Top tracks — play these first
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Fantasy Rainbow — This opening track sets an imaginative tone with its complex rhythms and rich harmonies, reflecting Murray's adeptness at integrating various musical influences.
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Sorrow Song (For W.E.B. Dubois) — Dedicated to a pivotal figure in African American history, this piece merges emotional depth with artistic sophistication, highlighting Murray's ability to convey social themes through music.
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Flowers Around Cleveland — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, blending lyrical improvisation and world music elements, showcasing Murray's unique vision as both a musician and storyteller.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends intricate improvisation with soulful melodies, showcasing strong craftsmanship and varied compositions.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisational sections, with several tracks exceeding seven minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes.
- Each track showcases a different instrumental focus, with varying combinations of saxophone, piano, and percussion leading the arrangements.
- The final track incorporates a gradual build-up, layering instruments to create a rich tapestry of sound that culminates in a climactic finish.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- gradual build to emotional peak
- rich soundscapes for reflection
- deep emotional resonance throughout
- captivating journey through sound
- inviting exploration of themes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, upbeat tracks
- seek straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album received significant recognition and showcased Murray's innovative style.
- Career context
- When 'Flowers Around Cleveland' was released in 2000, David Murray was already an established figure in the jazz scene, known for his innovative saxophone work. This album followed his acclaimed works in the 1990s, showcasing his continued evolution as a composer and bandleader while collaborating with prominent musicians from diverse backgrounds.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Henry Threadgill· Ornette Coleman· Charles Lloyd
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Fantasy Rainbow 8:33
- 2 Few’s Blues 8:06
- 3 The Desagregation of Our Children 10:36
- 4 Sorrow Song (For W.E.B. Dubois) 10:52
- 5 Dakar Darkness 6:35
- 6 When the Monarchs Come to Town 9:09
- 7 Flowers Around Cleveland 8:43
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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