What makes Indent by Cecil Taylor notable?

'Indent' is significant for its ambitious structure and radical departure from traditional jazz forms, contributing to the avant-garde movement. It received critical acclaim for its intricate layering and has influenced countless musicians seeking to expand the boundaries of jazz improvisation. In 1973, Cecil Taylor was already an established figure in avant-garde jazz, known for his innovative approach to improvisation. 'Indent' followed his acclaimed album 'Unit Structures' (1966) and marked a period where he further explored large-scale compositions, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in the genre.

How many songs are on Indent?

Indent has 4 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Indent

Cecil Taylor · 1973

45 min · 4 tracks · jazz

A complex interplay of dissonant piano fragments and rhythmic textures, challenging the boundaries of jazz and avant-garde music.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Indent: First Layer — This track exemplifies Taylor's avant-garde style with its sprawling improvisation and intricate piano work that defies conventional jazz structures.
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Indent: Second Layer, Part One — The second part shifts the tonal dynamics significantly, introducing more structured motifs while retaining a sense of exploration and spontaneity.
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Indent: Third Layer — As the longest track on the album, it showcases Taylor's ability to weave complex narratives through sound, culminating in an intense auditory experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

76 /100

Alpine

Higher than 98% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate improvisation and unique layering, marking a significant avant-garde jazz exploration.

What we noticed

The album consists of four lengthy tracks, each exploring different layers of improvisation and texture.
Each track builds upon the previous one, creating a sense of progression through complex rhythmic patterns and dissonant harmonies.
The first track introduces fragmented piano motifs that are revisited and expanded in subsequent layers, emphasizing the interplay between chaos and structure.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 Indent: First Layer 13:40
2 Indent: Second Layer, Part One 9:50
3 Indent: Second Layer, Part Two 3:50
4 Indent: Third Layer 17:50

What to play next

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Go back to

New York City R&B

1972

Full Cecil Taylor discography Where to start with Cecil Taylor Artists like Cecil Taylor

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata