Is Kind of Brown a good place to start with Christian McBride?

Yes, Kind of Brown is recommended as a starting point for new Christian McBride listeners. An intricate blend of post-bop jazz infused with soulful grooves and vibrant melodies that invite deep listening. Released in January 2009, Kind of Brown is Christian McBride's fourth studio album, following his acclaimed record, Live at Tonic. At this point in his career, McBride had established himself as a prominent bassist and bandleader in the jazz scene, known for his versatility and collaborations with various jazz legends.

Who is Kind of Brown for?

Kind of Brown works well if you're into steady grooves for relaxation, thoughtful improvisation throughout session and vibrant energy for social gatherings.

How many songs are on Kind of Brown?

Kind of Brown has 10 tracks, running approximately 64 minutes.

Kind of Brown

Christian McBride · 2009

64 min · 10 tracks · jazz

An intricate blend of post-bop jazz infused with soulful grooves and vibrant melodies that invite deep listening.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Brother Mister Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its infectious rhythm and heartfelt tribute to McBride's mentor, showcasing his lyrical bass playing.
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Theme for Kareem — With its engaging melody and intricate arrangements, this piece highlights the collaborative spirit of the group while paying homage to the basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
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Pursuit of Peace — This track features a reflective quality, blending lush harmonies with rhythmic complexity, demonstrating McBride's ability to convey deep emotion through instrumental storytelling.
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Stick & Move — A dynamic composition that fuses energetic improvisation with tight ensemble playing, exemplifying McBride's prowess as both a performer and composer.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions and distinctive grooves, making it engaging for repeated listens.

What we noticed

The album features intricate bass lines that often lead the melodies, with the other instruments weaving around them.
Each track has a distinct groove, with rhythmic variations that keep the listener engaged throughout.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response patterns between the instruments, creating a conversational dynamic.

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: 7/10

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

steady grooves for relaxation
thoughtful improvisation throughout session
vibrant energy for social gatherings
consistent progression with resolution

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer standalone tracks only

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Solidified McBride's reputation for innovative jazz compositions.
Themes: basketball legends· musical mentorship· soulful grooves
Career context: Released in January 2009, Kind of Brown is Christian McBride's fourth studio album, following his acclaimed record, Live at Tonic. At this point in his career, McBride had established himself as a prominent bassist and bandleader in the jazz scene, known for his versatility and collaborations with various jazz legends.
Stylistic neighbors: Marcus Miller· Robert Glasper· Esperanza Spalding

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Used 'Ta Could

The bridge shifts from a playful exploration of past experiences to a moment of introspection about change and growth without naming specific events.