What makes Maya with Love by Harold Mabern notable?

This album stands out for its heartfelt dedication to the late singer Maya Glenne, reflecting Mabern's emotional depth as a composer and performer. It received positive critical acclaim, helping to reestablish Mabern's presence in the jazz scene and contributing to his later recognition as an influential figure in modern jazz. Released in 2000, Maya with Love is Harold Mabern's first album after a decade-long period of relative obscurity. By this time, Mabern had established himself as a respected pianist within the jazz community but was seeking to revitalize his career and showcase his compositions.

How many songs are on Maya with Love?

Maya with Love has 11 tracks, running approximately 65 minutes.

Maya with Love

Harold Mabern · 2000

65 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A lyrical fusion of post-bop elegance and heartwarming melodies that honors personal connections through rich improvisation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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To Maya Glenne With Love — The album opener sets a poignant tone, blending intricate piano lines with warm harmonies that encapsulate the essence of dedication and love.
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You Are Too Beautiful — This classic standard showcases Mabern's expressive playing style, allowing for a delicate balance between lyrical beauty and improvisational freedom.
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Hymn of the Orient — With its exotic rhythms and melodic flair, this track embodies Mabern’s ability to merge different cultural influences within a jazz context.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Maya with Love blends heartfelt melodies and skilled improvisation, marking a strong return for Mabern in the jazz scene.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate varying tempos, with pieces like 'Boogie for Al McShann' introducing a lively rhythm that contrasts with more reflective compositions.
The final track, 'Begin the Beguine', serves as a gentle conclusion, slowing down the pace and providing a sense of closure to the album.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 2/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 To Maya Glenne With Love 6:52
2 You Are Too Beautiful 9:04
3 Hymn of the Orient 5:44
4 A Song for Connie 5:05
5 Lament 7:25
6 Boogie for Al McShann 2:57
7 Speak Low 5:16
8 Little Girl Blue 5:25
9 Blue Bossa 5:02
10 Maybe September 8:29
11 Begin the Beguine 4:10

What to play next

Listen next

Don't Know Why

2003

Go back to

Mabern's Grooveyard

1998

Full Harold Mabern discography Artists like Harold Mabern

post-bop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata