Released 30 years ago
From Now On
Sonny Fortune · 1996
69 min · 8 tracks · jazz
A fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms and free jazz improvisation, creating a vibrant and exploratory sonic landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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From Now On — The title track encapsulates the album’s essence, showcasing Fortune’s intricate saxophone lines that dance over complex rhythms while blending genres seamlessly.
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Come In out of the Rain — This piece highlights a rich interplay between melody and improvisation, with Fortune’s emotive playing serving as a poignant centerpiece amid dynamic instrumental support.
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Thoughts — At nearly seventeen minutes long, this expansive composition allows for deep exploration of themes and showcases Fortune's ability to weave complex narratives through extended improvisation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalFortune's blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms and free jazz creates a distinctive sound that rewards attentive listening.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of complex polyrhythms throughout, particularly in the first three tracks which emphasize Afro-Cuban influences.
- Each track showcases extended improvisation sections, allowing the alto saxophone to explore melodic variations over shifting harmonic structures.
- The final two tracks slow down significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the more energetic earlier pieces.
- 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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8/10
- 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
- soulful improvisations that captivate
- vibrant rhythms for late nights
- extended tracks inviting deep listening
- dynamic shifts across long pieces
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek predictable, consistent pacing
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1996, From Now On marked Sonny Fortune's return to the recording scene after several years. Following his tenure with legends like McCoy Tyner, this album showcased Fortune's artistic evolution during a time when he sought to blend jazz traditions with contemporary influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pharoah Sanders· Alice Coltrane· Donald Byrd
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Glue Fingers 9:55
- 2 This Side of Infinity 6:30
- 3 From Now On 7:26
- 4 Come In out of the Rain 10:21
- 5 Suspension 7:08
- 6 On Second and Fifth 5:26
- 7 Gift of Love 5:25
- 8 Thoughts 16:58
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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