Harmonic Disorder
Matthew Shipp · 2009
54 min · 14 tracks · jazz
A vivid tapestry of avant-garde jazz, intertwining dissonant harmonies with rhythmic explorations and improvisational freedom.
Top tracks — play these first
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Harmonic Disorder — The title track encapsulates the album's spirit with its intricate interplay between structure and spontaneity, showcasing Shipp's innovative harmonic language.
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There Will Never Be Another You — This reinterpretation highlights Shipp's ability to transform a standard into a platform for exploration, blending traditional melodies with unexpected dissonances.
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Quantum Waves — Here, Shipp explores polyrhythmic textures and layered motifs, demonstrating his mastery of rhythm and abstraction that defines much of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalInnovative in its approach to jazz, blending structure and improvisation effectively.
What we noticed
- Dissonant harmonies are frequently employed, creating a sense of tension that resolves in unexpected ways.
- The instrumentation varies across tracks, with piano taking the lead while other instruments provide contrasting textures and rhythms.
- 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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5/10
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
- rhythmic complexity with unexpected turns
- engaging improvisation for attentive listeners
- introspective moments of sonic exploration
- dynamic contrasts that provoke thought
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward musical structures
- seek instant gratification in tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2009, Matthew Shipp was deep into his artistic evolution as a prominent figure in avant-garde jazz, having released several albums since the late 1990s. 'Harmonic Disorder' follows his critically acclaimed works like 'One' (2005) and showcases his commitment to pushing boundaries within the jazz genre while collaborating with various musicians.
- Stylistic neighbors
- William Hooker· Sun Ra· Cecil Taylor
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Gng 4:35
- 2 There Will Never Be Another You 3:15
- 3 Harmonic Disorder 5:29
- 4 Someday My Prince Will Come 3:52
- 5 Mel Chi 2 1:56
- 6 Mr. Jm 4:33
- 7 Mel Chi 1 1:48
- 8 Roe 5:13
- 9 Orb 3:16
- 10 Compost 4:06
- 11 Zo Number 2 6:18
- 12 Quantum Waves 4:54
- 13 Light 3:01
- 14 When the Curtain Falls on the Jazz Theatre 2:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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