Is In the Tradition Volume 2 a good place to start with Anthony Braxton?

Yes, In the Tradition Volume 2 is recommended as a starting point for new Anthony Braxton listeners. A bold exploration of jazz standards infused with avant-garde improvisation and intricate harmonic structures. By the time 'In the Tradition Volume 2' was released in 1976, Anthony Braxton had already established himself as a significant figure in avant-garde jazz with his debut album 'For Trio' in 1969. This album represents his continued evolution as an artist, showcasing his unique approach to interpreting classic jazz tunes while melding them with his innovative compositional style.

Who is In the Tradition Volume 2 for?

In the Tradition Volume 2 works well if you're into wave-like pacing with explorative flow, heartfelt interpretations of standards and intimate moments of improvisation.

How many songs are on In the Tradition Volume 2?

In the Tradition Volume 2 has 6 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Released 50 years ago

In the Tradition Volume 2

Anthony Braxton · 1976

42 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A bold exploration of jazz standards infused with avant-garde improvisation and intricate harmonic structures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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What's New? Start here — The opening track features intricate melodic lines and offers a fresh, expansive view on a well-known standard, setting the tone for the entire album.
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Body and Soul — Braxton’s rendition of this classic is marked by its emotional depth and complex harmonic interplay, showcasing his ability to transform familiar material into something new.
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My Funny Valentine — This track stands out for its juxtaposition of traditional phrasing against exploratory improvisations, illustrating Braxton's unique voice within the jazz tradition.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

Braxton's bold reinterpretations and intricate structures mark this as a significant avant-garde jazz work.

What we noticed

Each piece varies in length, with some tracks extending into lengthy improvisations while others are more concise.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

wave-like pacing with explorative flow
heartfelt interpretations of standards
intimate moments of improvisation
engaging in-depth listening experience

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward, catchy tunes
seek fast-paced, energetic tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — The album boldly reinterprets jazz standards, showcasing avant-garde improvisation.
Themes: avant-garde improvisation· jazz standard reinterpretation· emotional harmonic complexity
Career context: By the time 'In the Tradition Volume 2' was released in 1976, Anthony Braxton had already established himself as a significant figure in avant-garde jazz with his debut album 'For Trio' in 1969. This album represents his continued evolution as an artist, showcasing his unique approach to interpreting classic jazz tunes while melding them with his innovative compositional style.
Stylistic neighbors: Ornette Coleman· Sun Ra· Henry Threadgill