What makes Make the Road by Walking by Menahan Street Band notable?

The album received critical acclaim, with notable praise from publications like Pitchfork, which highlighted its rich instrumentation and cohesive sound. It also played a significant role in the revival of instrumental soul music, influencing a wave of artists within the genre and establishing the band as staples in the Daptone Records family. When 'Make the Road by Walking' was released in 2008, Menahan Street Band was emerging as a prominent force in the contemporary soul scene. This album marked their debut, following a series of successful collaborative projects with artists like Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley. The record helped solidify their reputation for fusing classic soul elements with modern sensibilities.

How many songs are on Make the Road by Walking?

Make the Road by Walking has 11 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Make the Road by Walking

Menahan Street Band · 2008

36 min · 11 tracks · soul

A vibrant blend of instrumental soul that evokes warmth and nostalgia through lush arrangements and rhythmic grooves.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Make the Road by Walking — This title track sets the tone for the album with its infectious groove and dynamic horn arrangements, encapsulating the band's unique sound.
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Tired of Fighting — This track features a compelling melody that balances melancholy with hope, showcasing the band's ability to evoke deep emotion through instrumental music.
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Montego Sunset — With its laid-back rhythm and smooth brass lines, this track perfectly embodies the sunny, relaxed vibe that permeates throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong instrumental writing and cohesive arrangements, contributing to its appeal within the soul genre.

What we noticed

The first track sets a laid-back groove that is maintained throughout, with each subsequent song introducing variations in instrumentation while keeping the overall feel consistent.
Several tracks feature layered horn arrangements that build gradually, creating a rich texture before resolving into simpler motifs.
The album closes with an untitled track that features a slow fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of completion and reflection.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
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.

Tracklist

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

1 Make the Road by Walking 2:59
2 Tired of Fighting 3:31
3 Home Again! 3:22
4 Montego Sunset 3:18
5 Karina 3:25
6 The Traitor 2:42
7 The Contender 3:48
8 Birds 3:02
9 Esma 3:06
10 Going the Distance / Heartbeat 6:36
11 [untitled] 0:08

What to play next

Listen next

No Time For Dreaming: The Instrumentals

2011

Full Menahan Street Band discography Artists like Menahan Street Band

soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata