What makes Heavy!!! by Booker Ervin notable?

Heavy!!! received positive critical acclaim upon release, particularly for its innovative approach to jazz composition and improvisation. It is often cited as a significant contribution to the hard bop genre and has influenced many contemporary jazz musicians. Released in 1967, Heavy!!! marked Booker Ervin's third album as a bandleader, following his earlier works that established him within the jazz scene. At this point, he was transitioning from sideman roles with notable figures to a prominent solo artist, demonstrating his unique voice and style.

How many songs are on Heavy!!!?

Heavy!!! has 5 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Heavy!!!

Booker Ervin · 1967

42 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of hard-bop rhythms and soulful melodies that showcases Ervin's powerful saxophone artistry.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Bächafillen — This track exemplifies Ervin's ability to blend complex musical structures with emotive playing, creating a rich soundscape filled with intricate solos.
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You Don't Know What Love Is — Ervin's interpretation of this classic ballad highlights his lyrical saxophone style, capturing deep emotion and showcasing his technical prowess.
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Aluminum Baby — This piece features vibrant energy and innovative rhythms, reflecting the experimental spirit of the album while allowing Ervin’s personality to shine through.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

Ervin's powerful saxophone and the tight rhythm section create a vibrant hard-bop sound that stands out in its era.

What we noticed

The album opens with a fast-paced track featuring intricate saxophone lines that set a lively tone.
Each of the five tracks showcases extended improvisation, allowing Ervin's saxophone to explore various melodic ideas.
The rhythm section maintains a consistent hard-bop groove, providing a solid foundation for the soloists throughout the record.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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 Bächafillen 8:05
2 You Don't Know What Love Is 8:28
3 Aluminum Baby 5:53
4 Not Quite That 7:45
5 Bei mir bist Du schön 12:18

What to play next

Listen next

The In Between

1968

Go back to

Booker 'n' Brass

1967

Full Booker Ervin discography Artists like Booker Ervin

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata