Is Leap of Faith a good place to start with Dave Douglas?

Yes, Leap of Faith is recommended as a starting point for new Dave Douglas listeners. A vibrant fusion of complex jazz structures and experimental improvisation that pushes the boundaries of traditional forms. At the turn of the millennium, Dave Douglas was solidifying his reputation as an innovative force in jazz with 'Leap of Faith', his first album released after co-founding the renowned label Greenleaf Music. This release followed his acclaimed works like 'The Infinite' and positioned him as a key figure in the avant-garde jazz movement, exploring new sonic territories.

Who is Leap of Faith for?

Leap of Faith works well if you're into wave-like pacing with peaks, dynamic journey of exploration and intricate dialogues in brass.

How many songs are on Leap of Faith?

Leap of Faith has 11 tracks, running approximately 64 minutes.

Leap of Faith

Dave Douglas · 2000

64 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of complex jazz structures and experimental improvisation that pushes the boundaries of traditional forms.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Leap of Faith — The title track encapsulates the album's spirit, showcasing Douglas's ability to weave together intricate melodies with bold improvisational passages that challenge conventional jazz narratives.
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Caterwaul Start here — Opening the album, this piece sets a dynamic tone with its urgent rhythms and playful interactions between instruments, highlighting Douglas's unique compositional style.
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Continental Divide — This extended track builds layers of tension and release through its explorative nature, representing the album's overarching theme of innovation and risk-taking in jazz.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album's complex structures and improvisational focus mark it as a significant work in contemporary jazz.

What we noticed

Each track showcases a different ensemble configuration, allowing for varied textures and dynamics throughout the record.
Improvisation plays a central role, with extended solos that often diverge from the main themes, creating a sense of exploration.

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: 5/10

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

wave-like pacing with peaks
dynamic journey of exploration
intricate dialogues in brass
adventurous late-night listening
thoughtful reflections during commute

Maybe skip if you

seek instant gratification
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Douglas's reputation and contributed to his growing recognition.
Themes: avant-garde jazz· experimental improvisation· musical risk-taking
Moods: Energetic· Focus
Career context: At the turn of the millennium, Dave Douglas was solidifying his reputation as an innovative force in jazz with 'Leap of Faith', his first album released after co-founding the renowned label Greenleaf Music. This release followed his acclaimed works like 'The Infinite' and positioned him as a key figure in the avant-garde jazz movement, exploring new sonic territories.
Stylistic neighbors: Chris Potter· Avishai Cohen· Maria Schneider