What makes GroundUP by Snarky Puppy notable?

GroundUP received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to jazz fusion, charting high on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz charts. The album also contributed to Snarky Puppy's reputation as a genre-defying ensemble, influencing a new generation of musicians in the jazz and fusion scenes. When Snarky Puppy released GroundUP in 2012, they were solidifying their status as leading figures in the contemporary jazz scene. This album followed their Grammy Award-winning project, Tell Your Friends, showcasing their growth in compositional depth and collaborative synergy.

GroundUP works well if you're into steady exploration with dynamic peaks, long-form listening for deep focus and vibrant improvisation for attentive ears.

How many songs are on GroundUP?

GroundUP has 16 tracks, running approximately 109 minutes.

GroundUP

Snarky Puppy · 2012

109 min · 16 tracks · jazz

Complex jazz fusion intertwines intricate melodies, dynamic rhythms, and collective improvisation across expansive compositions.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Thing of Gold — This opening track sets the album's tone with a captivating blend of rhythmic complexity and melodic exploration, showcasing the band's tight-knit collaboration.
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Binky — Binky features an extended improvisational section that highlights individual band members' virtuosity while maintaining a cohesive ensemble sound, exemplifying Snarky Puppy's unique style.
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Quarter Master — The closing track combines infectious grooves with rich harmonic textures, encapsulating the album's adventurous spirit and leaving listeners with a lasting impression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

74 /100

Alpine

Higher than 98% of albums we've rated

GroundUP showcases complex compositions and high-level musicianship, solidifying Snarky Puppy's place in modern jazz.

What we noticed

The album features extended compositions, with several tracks exceeding six minutes, allowing for intricate development of themes.
Collective improvisation is prominent, with multiple instruments weaving in and out of the foreground throughout the tracks.
The first half of the album maintains a consistent tempo and energy level, while the second half introduces more varied dynamics and rhythmic shifts.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 exploration with dynamic peaks
long-form listening for deep focus
vibrant improvisation for attentive ears
engaging rhythms for social gatherings

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, standalone tracks
seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

Career context: When Snarky Puppy released GroundUP in 2012, they were solidifying their status as leading figures in the contemporary jazz scene. This album followed their Grammy Award-winning project, Tell Your Friends, showcasing their growth in compositional depth and collaborative synergy.
Stylistic neighbors: GoGo Penguin· Hiatus Kaiyote· The Bad Plus