Lift Every Voice
Andrew Hill · 1970
70 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant tapestry of avant-garde jazz that interweaves complex rhythms with soulful melodies and deeply expressive improvisation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Lift Every Voice — The title track showcases Hill's unique blend of spiritual and social themes, featuring intricate piano work that drives a powerful collective improvisation. Its melodic richness encapsulates the essence of the album.
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Ghetto Lights — This track highlights Hill's ability to merge complex harmonies with poignant commentary on urban life, creating a profound emotional landscape through its dynamic shifts and rhythmic intensity.
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Mother Mercy — With its hauntingly beautiful melodies and contemplative atmosphere, this piece stands out for its emotional depth and lyrical piano lines that convey a sense of yearning and reflection.
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 depth create a distinctive avant-garde jazz experience.
What we noticed
- Each track showcases extended improvisation, with musicians frequently trading solos and responding to one another in real-time.
- The use of unconventional harmonies and dissonance is prevalent, particularly in the opening track, which sets a challenging tone for the album.
- 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
- soulful rhythms for deep reflection
- patient explorations of intricate melodies
- vibrant soundscapes for focused listening
- immersive journeys through varied emotions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek straightforward, catchy tunes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1970, Andrew Hill was already an established figure in the jazz scene, known for his innovative compositions. 'Lift Every Voice' was his first album after signing with the renowned Blue Note label, marking a significant phase in his career as he began to explore broader themes and more intricate soundscapes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Eric Dolphy· Cecil Taylor· Ornette Coleman
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hey Hey 7:56
- 2 Lift Every Voice 8:06
- 3 Two Lullabies 5:44
- 4 Love Chant 5:43
- 5 Ghetto Lights 5:13
- 6 Blue Spark 5:57
- 7 A Tender Tale 6:58
- 8 Drew's Tune 6:23
- 9 Mother Mercy 5:16
- 10 Natural Spirit 7:25
- 11 Such It Is 5:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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