Judgment!
Andrew Hill · 1964
48 min · 7 tracks · jazz
A daring exploration of avant-garde jazz, merging complex rhythms with emotive harmonies and unexpected improvisations.
Top tracks — play these first
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Siete Ocho — This track exemplifies Hill's intricate rhythmic structures and showcases the ensemble's tight interplay, setting a dynamic tone for the album.
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Judgment — The title track encapsulates Hill's thematic depth and inventive harmonies, illustrating his skill at blending emotional content with complex musical ideas.
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Reconciliation — This piece highlights Hill’s ability to create tension and release through masterful arrangements and improvisation, reflecting broader themes of conflict and resolution.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's complex rhythms and improvisational nature mark it as a significant work in avant-garde jazz.
What we noticed
- Improvisation is prominent throughout, with each musician taking extended solos that often diverge from the main themes.
- The use of dissonance and unexpected harmonic progressions creates a sense of tension and release, especially evident in 'Judgment'.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- adventurous rhythmic explorations
- challenging time signature shifts
- intense focus on harmonic complexity
- thought-provoking late-night sessions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, catchy tunes
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1964, Judgment! was Andrew Hill's third album and marked his growing prominence in the jazz scene following the success of his debut, Black Fire. At this time, Hill was carving out a unique space within avant-garde jazz, showcasing his distinctive compositional style and innovative approach to ensemble playing.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Eric Dolphy· Cecil Taylor· Ornette Coleman
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Siete Ocho 8:59
- 2 Flea Flop 7:23
- 3 Yokada Yokada 5:19
- 4 Alfred 7:06
- 5 Judgment 6:56
- 6 Reconciliation 7:23
- 7 Yokada, Yokada (alternate take) 5:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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