What makes From the Hot Afternoon by Paul Desmond notable?

'From the Hot Afternoon' received critical acclaim for its innovative blend of jazz with Brazilian influences, contributing to the world music movement of the late 60s. The album is recognized for helping to popularize bossa nova elements in jazz, influencing subsequent artists and expanding the genre's audience. By 1969, Paul Desmond was already renowned for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, particularly their hit 'Take Five.' 'From the Hot Afternoon' marked his first album as a leader since the quartet's commercial peak, showcasing his distinct voice on the alto saxophone in a more expansive and exploratory context.

How many songs are on From the Hot Afternoon?

From the Hot Afternoon has 16 tracks, running approximately 57 minutes.

From the Hot Afternoon

Paul Desmond · 1969

57 min · 16 tracks · jazz

Evocative jazz melodies intertwine with Brazilian rhythms, creating a lush soundscape filled with warmth and sophistication.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Outubro (October) — This opening track sets a contemplative mood with its gentle melodies and rich harmonies, effectively showcasing Desmond's lyrical playing style.
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From the Hot Afternoon — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its seamless integration of Brazilian rhythms and jazz improvisation, highlighting Desmond's unique sound.
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Circles — With its rhythmic complexity and melodic inventiveness, 'Circles' exemplifies Desmond's ability to merge intricate jazz structures with accessible themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz with Brazilian elements effectively, showcasing strong melodies and sophisticated arrangements.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of Brazilian rhythms, with tracks like 'Gira Girou' and 'Canto Latino' incorporating syncopated percussion and melodic lines typical of bossa nova.
Each track is built around Desmond's smooth alto saxophone melodies, often accompanied by lush string arrangements that enhance the warm soundscape.
Several tracks, such as 'From the Hot Afternoon,' utilize extended improvisation sections, allowing for a fluid exploration of themes rather than strict adherence to traditional song structures.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Outubro (October) 3:00
2 Gira Girou (Round 'n' Round) 4:32
3 Faithful Brother 3:09
4 To Say Goodbye 4:01
5 From the Hot Afternoon 3:31
6 Circles 3:46
7 Martha & Romao 3:05
8 Catavento 2:46
9 Canto Latino 4:25
10 Crystall Illusions 4:41
11 Gira Girou (Round 'n' Round) (alternate take) 4:21
12 Faithful Brother (alternate take) 2:49
13 From the Hot Afternoon (alternate take 1) 3:56
14 Catavento (alternate take) 2:31
15 Canto Latino (alternate take) 4:01
16 From the Hot Afternoon (alternate take 2) 2:38

What to play next

Listen next

Summertime

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Go back to

Easy Living

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Full Paul Desmond discography Artists like Paul Desmond

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata