What makes Follow the Sun by Kahil El'Zabar notable?

The album was well-received, earning critical praise for its exploration of deep themes and improvisational artistry. It underscores El'Zabar's role in revitalizing the spirit of jazz through contemporary interpretations, influencing both established and emerging artists within the genre. Released in 2013, Follow the Sun is Kahil El'Zabar's first album after establishing himself as a prominent figure in the Chicago jazz scene. By this point, he had already garnered acclaim for his innovative blend of traditional and avant-garde styles, showcasing his ability to merge various musical influences into cohesive works.

How many songs are on Follow the Sun?

Follow the Sun has 9 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Follow the Sun

Kahil El'Zabar · 2013

68 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A meditative blend of free jazz and spiritual grooves that invites listeners on a reflective sonic journey.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Follow the Sun — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its gentle rhythm and evocative melodies that embody the theme of personal reflection and exploration.
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Great Black Music — This piece pays homage to the rich legacy of African American music, blending historical references with modern improvisation techniques that showcase El'Zabar's versatility.
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Inner Heart — With its deeply resonant rhythms and contemplative melodic lines, this track exemplifies El'Zabar's ability to create an immersive listening experience that encourages introspection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album's seamless transitions and improvisational depth create a reflective listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational sections, with several tracks exceeding six minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes.
Each track transitions smoothly into the next, often using overlapping motifs that create a continuous flow throughout the record.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 9/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Follow the Sun 5:33
2 Softly as in a Morning Sunrise 13:00
3 Great Black Music 9:14
4 Footprints 6:13
5 Grandma’s Hands 4:55
6 Inner Heart 5:35
7 Body and Soul 6:05
8 Our Journey 6:06
9 Up Your Mind 11:42

What to play next

Listen next

Kahil El’Zabar’s America the Beautiful

2020

Go back to

What It Is!

2013

Full Kahil El'Zabar discography Artists like Kahil El'Zabar

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata