Kelly at Midnight cover

Kelly at Midnight

Wynton Kelly · 1960

32 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of rhythmic complexity and melodic sophistication that showcases Wynton Kelly's virtuosic piano work.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Temperence — This track features intricate piano lines interwoven with a dynamic rhythm section, showcasing Kelly's ability to blend technical prowess with emotional depth.
  • →
    Weird Lullaby — A hauntingly beautiful piece that highlights Kelly's lyrical approach to improvisation, creating an atmospheric contrast within the album's overall energetic vibe.
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    Pot Luck — This track stands out due to its playful interaction between musicians, illustrating the spontaneous spirit of jazz while maintaining a catchy groove throughout.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Wynton Kelly's virtuosic piano work within a cohesive hard bop framework.

What we noticed

  • The first track opens with a lively tempo, while the subsequent tracks explore varying degrees of complexity and mood, particularly in 'Weird Lullaby' which employs a slower, more contemplative pace.
  • Each piece maintains a strong melodic focus, with Kelly's improvisations often returning to thematic material introduced at the beginning of each track.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

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 Temperence 7:32
  • 2 Weird Lullaby 7:12
  • 3 On Stage 5:13
  • 4 Skatin' 5:51
  • 5 Pot Luck 6:53

What to play next

Cruisin' The Rhythm Sections
Listen next

Cruisin' The Rhythm Sections

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hard bop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata