Mark Isham
Mark Isham · 1990
45 min · 9 tracks · jazz
A kaleidoscopic blend of jazz fusion, electronic textures, and emotive instrumental storytelling unfolds across immersive soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Honeymoon Nights — Opening the album, this track showcases Isham’s ability to blend smooth jazz melodies with atmospheric synths, setting the tone for the entire project.
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An Eye on the World — This piece features a compelling call-and-response between brass instruments and electronic beats, illustrating Isham's unique compositional style that merges traditional jazz with modern influences.
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Turkish Delight — The track is notable for its intricate rhythms and exotic scales, reflecting Isham's versatility in incorporating diverse cultural sounds into his jazz foundation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends electronic elements with jazz fusion, showcasing strong composition and craft.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of electronic textures layered over traditional jazz instrumentation, creating a unique soundscape.
- Each track varies in tempo and mood, with some pieces like 'Honeymoon Nights' starting softly before building to more complex arrangements.
- Several tracks incorporate improvisational sections that allow for expressive solos, particularly from the trumpet and synthesizer.
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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 pacing for deep focus
- introspective listening during solitude
- gradual peaks in emotional depth
- explorative soundscapes for reflection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- seek instant gratification melodies
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Mark Isham's self-titled debut album was released in 1990, marking his first foray as a solo artist after establishing himself as a prominent session musician and film composer. Prior to this release, Isham had already gained recognition for his work with various jazz ensembles and collaborations with artists like the group Oingo Boingo.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pat Metheny· Tord Gustavsen· Brian Eno
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Honeymoon Nights 5:22
- 2 I Never Will Know 6:03
- 3 Marionette 5:56
- 4 An Eye on the World 3:56
- 5 Blue Moon 4:25
- 6 Ashes and Diamonds 3:12
- 7 Toward the Infinite White 5:20
- 8 Songs of the Flying Fish 4:38
- 9 Turkish Delight 6:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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