What makes Mean Greens by Eddie Harris notable?

Mean Greens received critical acclaim for its inventive fusion of jazz and other musical styles, further solidifying Harris's reputation within the genre. The album's title track became particularly recognized, highlighting Harris’s ability to create infectious melodies and rhythms that resonate beyond the jazz community. Released in 1967, Mean Greens marked a significant moment in Eddie Harris's career as it followed his critically acclaimed album, The Electrifying Eddie Harris. At this point, Harris was establishing himself as a pioneering artist in jazz, blending traditional forms with contemporary influences and experimenting with electric instruments.

Who is Mean Greens for?

Mean Greens works well if you're into vibrant energy for social gatherings, soulful brass melodies uplift mood and extended grooves encourage dancing.

How many songs are on Mean Greens?

Mean Greens has 7 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Mean Greens

Eddie Harris · 1967

40 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of jazz grooves and world music rhythms, showcasing Eddie Harris's innovative spirit and mastery of the saxophone.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Mean Greens — The title track showcases an infectious groove layered with intricate saxophone melodies that exemplify Harris's unique blend of jazz and funk influences.
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It Was a Very Good Year — This rendition reinterprets the classic song with a fresh jazz arrangement, allowing Harris to showcase his emotive playing style while infusing new life into familiar lyrics.
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Listen Here — With its catchy hook and rhythmic sophistication, this track encapsulates Harris’s innovative approach to melody and improvisation, making it a standout on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz with world music influences, showcasing strong craftsmanship and distinct melodies.

What we noticed

The title track features a prominent saxophone melody that is layered over complex percussion patterns, creating a rhythmic dialogue.
The album incorporates elements of world music through the use of unconventional instruments and rhythms, particularly evident in 'Listen Here'.

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: 5/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

vibrant energy for social gatherings
soulful brass melodies uplift mood
extended grooves encourage dancing
reflective moments amidst lively tracks

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, instant gratification
seek minimalistic soundscapes

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1967, Mean Greens marked a significant moment in Eddie Harris's career as it followed his critically acclaimed album, The Electrifying Eddie Harris. At this point, Harris was establishing himself as a pioneering artist in jazz, blending traditional forms with contemporary influences and experimenting with electric instruments.
Stylistic neighbors: Sun Ra· Herbie Hancock· Pharoah Sanders