High Risk
Dave Douglas · 2015
40 min · 7 tracks · jazz
Innovative jazz textures weave through electronic landscapes, blending traditional instrumentation with avant-garde improvisation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Molten Sunset Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its sprawling soundscape and intricate interplay between electronic textures and brass instruments.
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Etiquette — A standout piece that showcases the ensemble's tight cohesion while allowing for individual expression, reflecting Douglas's skill in balancing structure with improvisation.
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High Risk — The title track encapsulates the album's adventurous spirit, featuring bold rhythmic shifts and experimental sounds that challenge conventional jazz norms.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalInnovative textures and improvisation define this album's unique sound within contemporary jazz.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a layered texture, where brass and electronic sounds intertwine, creating a complex sonic landscape.
- Each track features extended improvisation sections that allow the musicians to explore themes rather than strictly adhere to written melodies.
- The final track gradually fades out with a minimalist approach, contrasting the more densely packed earlier pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- wave-like pacing for deep listening
- evocative themes for reflective moments
- immersive journey through varied lengths
- subtle dynamics for engaged focus
Maybe skip if you
- seeks quick, upbeat tracks
- prefers standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Explores innovative jazz and electronic fusion, diverging from earlier works.
- Themes
- electronic jazz fusion· avant-garde improvisation· bold rhythmic experimentation
- Career context
- By the time 'High Risk' was released in 2015, Dave Douglas had established himself as a prominent figure in contemporary jazz. This album came during a phase where he was actively exploring the intersections of jazz with electronic music, following his acclaimed 2013 release, 'Time Travel'. Douglas's work on 'High Risk' showcases his commitment to pushing boundaries within the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chris Potter· Avishai Cohen· Maria Schneider
Tracklist
- 1 Molten Sunset Start here 7:32
- 2 Household Item 4:23
- 3 Etiquette 6:10
- 4 First Things First 2:45
- 5 High Risk 6:22
- 6 Tied Together 6:35
- 7 Cardinals 7:10
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
You're Dead!
Flying Lotus
Blends electronic beats with jazz improvisation, creating a surreal, genre-defying soundscape.
Black Radio
Robert Glasper
Fuses jazz with hip-hop and R&B, showcasing innovative rhythms and collaborative improvisation.
Spaces
Nils Frahm
Explores atmospheric soundscapes combining classical and electronic elements, similar to avant-garde experimentation.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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