What makes Impact by Charles Tolliver notable?

Impact is notable for its innovative blend of traditional jazz elements with contemporary styles, earning critical acclaim upon release. The album's influence is felt in the resurgence of interest in jazz fusion during the 1970s, positioning Tolliver as a key figure in the genre's evolution. Released in 1975, Impact marked Charles Tolliver's first album after his pivotal role in the New Jazz Movement. At this time, Tolliver was establishing himself as a significant voice in jazz, following his earlier collaborations with artists like Max Roach and his own ensemble, Music Inc.

How many songs are on Impact?

Impact has 6 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Impact

Charles Tolliver · 1975

47 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of hard bop and avant-garde jazz, characterized by intricate arrangements and dynamic improvisation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Impact — The title track showcases Tolliver’s bold trumpet work and sets the tone for the album's adventurous spirit through complex rhythms and harmonic exploration.
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Mother Wit — This piece features an intricate interplay between the horns and rhythm section, highlighting Tolliver's ability to blend melodic invention with rhythmic intricacies.
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Plight — Notable for its emotional depth, Plight incorporates rich textures and extended improvisations that reflect both personal and societal struggles.

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

Impact combines intricate arrangements with dynamic improvisation, showcasing Tolliver's innovative approach to jazz.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a complex interplay between brass and rhythm sections, establishing a vibrant energy.
Each track showcases extended improvisation, with solos that often shift the mood dramatically within the same piece.
The final track incorporates a series of variations that gradually build in intensity before concluding with a reflective tone.

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 Impact 7:58
2 Mother Wit 8:21
3 Grand Max 6:22
4 Plight 9:47
5 Lynnsome 7:18
6 Mournin' Variations 8:13

What to play next

Listen next

Paper Man

1975

Go back to

Live at the Loosdrecht Jazz Festival

1973

Full Charles Tolliver discography Artists like Charles Tolliver

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata