Maroons cover

Maroons

Geri Allen · 1992

72 min · 15 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of jazz and contemporary sounds that showcases improvisational brilliance and emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    No More Mr. Nice Guy — This track stands out for its bold reimagining of a classic rock song through a jazz lens, showcasing Allen's ability to reinterpret genres while maintaining deep emotional resonance.
  • →
    A Prayer for Peace — This composition highlights Allen's lyrical piano style and thoughtful arrangements, serving as both a meditative reflection and a powerful statement on social issues.
  • →
    For John Malachi — This tribute to the late jazz musician exemplifies Allen's skillful piano work and intricate harmonic structures, weaving personal narrative into the fabric of the jazz tradition.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
66 /100
Alpine
Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

Maroons showcases strong improvisational skills and thematic depth, making it a notable entry in contemporary jazz.

What we noticed

  • The album features multiple sections where improvisation takes center stage, particularly in tracks like 'Dolphy's Dance' and 'For John Malachi'.
  • Each track varies significantly in tempo and mood, with some pieces like 'A Prayer for Peace' being more contemplative while others like 'Mad Money' are rhythmically intense.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

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

  • intricate rhythms that invite exploration
  • emotive melodies for reflective moments
  • late-night introspection and contemplation
  • dynamic shifts throughout the album

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of instant gratification
  • prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1992, Maroons was Geri Allen's third studio album, following her critically acclaimed debut, The Printmakers. At this stage in her career, she was establishing herself as a key figure in the jazz scene, recognized for her innovative blending of traditional jazz with modern influences.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Feed the Fire 1 1:32
  • 2 No More Mr. Nice Guy 7:06
  • 3 And They Partied 5:32
  • 4 Number Four 4:38
  • 5 A Prayer for Peace 5:45
  • 6 Mad Money 7:39
  • 7 Two Brothers 2:49
  • 8 Feed the Fire 2 3:29
  • 9 Dolphy's Dance 5:01
  • 10 For John Malachi 4:10
  • 11 Laila's House 8:21
  • 12 Feed the Fire 3 3:19
  • 13 Brooklyn Bound 'A' 1:05
  • 14 Bed-Sty 5:21
  • 15 Maroons 6:25

What to play next

Twenty One
Listen next

Twenty One

1994
The Nurturer
Go back to

The Nurturer

1991
Full Geri Allen discography Artists like Geri Allen
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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata