Magnetic
Terence Blanchard · 2013
68 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of jazz and orchestral textures, weaving intricate melodies with expansive improvisations that invite deep emotional exploration.
Top tracks — play these first
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Magnetic Start here — The title track encapsulates the album’s essence with its lush arrangements and intricate interplay between musicians, setting the tone for the entire project.
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Jacob's Ladder — This track showcases Blanchard's ability to blend complex harmonies and rhythmic patterns, creating a mesmerizing soundscape that highlights his compositional skill.
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Hallucinations — With its evolving motifs and emotive trumpet solos, this piece illustrates Blanchard's depth as an artist while inviting listeners into a sonic journey filled with introspection.
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Comet — Short yet impactful, this track delivers powerful thematic material through concise phrasing and dynamic shifts, making it a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong compositions and skilled performances, maintaining cohesion across its tracks.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of layered brass and woodwind arrangements, creating a rich texture throughout.
- Each track varies in tempo and mood, with several pieces transitioning smoothly into one another without breaks.
- The title track opens with a slow build-up that gradually introduces more complex harmonies and rhythms as it progresses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- long emotional explorations of sound
- patient unfolding with rich textures
- evocative themes for introspective moments
- soothing background for creative work
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, upbeat tracks
- want constant high-energy dynamics
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — This album showcases Blanchard's artistic evolution and is highly regarded in his catalog.
- Themes
- orchestral jazz fusion· emotive trumpet explorations
- Career context
- In 2013, Terence Blanchard was already an established figure in jazz, known for his work as a film composer and bandleader. 'Magnetic' serves as his first studio album since 2009's 'Choices,' and reflects his continued evolution as a musician following his tenure with the iconic Jazz Messenger. This release further solidified his reputation within the jazz community, showcasing both innovative arrangements and collaborative spirit.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Wynton Marsalis· Roy Hargrove· Kendrick Scott
Tracklist
- 1 Magnetic Start here 7:02
- 2 Jacob's Ladder 7:59
- 3 Don't Run 7:29
- 4 Pet Step Sister's Theme Song 10:31
- 5 Hallucinations 8:42
- 6 No Borders Just Horizons 7:21
- 7 Comet 4:53
- 8 Central Focus 4:31
- 9 Another Step 2:34
- 10 Time to Spare 6:56
What to play next
Breathless
2015
Continues the exploration of rich soundscapes and emotional depth from 'Magnetic'.
Choices
2009
Sets the stage with a similar blend of jazz influences leading into 'Magnetic'.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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