What makes Kharma by Charles Earland notable?

Kharma received critical acclaim for its ambitious compositions and unique blend of genres, contributing to the growing popularity of soul jazz in the early 1970s. The album is particularly noted for its homage to Martin Luther King Jr., highlighting the cultural relevance of social justice themes in music during that era. Released in 1971, Kharma marked Charles Earland's emergence as a prominent figure in the jazz scene following his stint with the legendary organist Jimmy Smith. This album showcased Earland's distinctive style, incorporating elements of funk and spiritual jazz, solidifying his reputation as an innovative artist during a time of significant evolution in jazz.

Kharma works well if you're into intricate melodies that invite exploration, dynamic rhythms for active listening and reflective moments of soulful depth.

How many songs are on Kharma?

Kharma has 5 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Kharma

Charles Earland

43 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of soul jazz and bebop, weaving intricate melodies through rich harmonies and dynamic rhythms.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Suite for Martin Luther King, Part 1: Offering — This track opens with a soulful organ intro that sets a reflective tone, leading into powerful improvisation that pays tribute to King's legacy.
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Suite for Martin Luther King, Part 2: Mode for Martin — Continuing the tribute, this piece features complex rhythms and harmonies that evoke a sense of hope and resilience, capturing the spirit of the civil rights movement.
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Kharma — The title track encapsulates Earland's fusion of jazz and funk, showcasing his virtuosic organ playing while maintaining a groove that invites listeners to engage deeply.

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

Kharma blends soul jazz and bebop with ambitious compositions, showcasing Earland's unique style and thematic depth.

What we noticed

The album features extended compositions, with each track averaging over six minutes, allowing for intricate improvisation.
The final track incorporates a gradual build-up, layering instruments to create a climactic finish.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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

intricate melodies that invite exploration
dynamic rhythms for active listening
reflective moments of soulful depth
immersive experience with rich harmonies

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1971, Kharma marked Charles Earland's emergence as a prominent figure in the jazz scene following his stint with the legendary organist Jimmy Smith. This album showcased Earland's distinctive style, incorporating elements of funk and spiritual jazz, solidifying his reputation as an innovative artist during a time of significant evolution in jazz.
Stylistic neighbors: Jimmy Smith· Larry Young· Booker T. Jones

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Joe Brown 8:38
2 Morgan 13:05
3 Suite for Martin Luther King, Part 1: Offering 8:40
4 Suite for Martin Luther King, Part 2: Mode for Martin 7:59
5 Kharma 5:04

What to play next

Listen next

Soul Crib

1969

Go back to

Live at the Lighthouse

Full Charles Earland discography Artists like Charles Earland

bebop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata