What makes Medina by Bobby Hutcherson notable?

Medina is significant for its innovative blend of jazz styles and features compositions that reflect Hutcherson's deep understanding of melody and rhythm. The album received positive critical reception and demonstrated Hutcherson's lasting influence on the jazz genre, helping to solidify his status as a key figure in modern jazz. Released in 1980, Medina marked Bobby Hutcherson's return to the recording scene after a five-year hiatus. This album followed his explorations in various styles during the 1970s and showcased his evolving artistry at a time when jazz fusion was gaining prominence.

Medina works well if you're into dynamic journey with rhythmic peaks, wave-like pacing encourages exploration and intricate melodies for attentive listening.

How many songs are on Medina?

Medina has 11 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Medina

Bobby Hutcherson · 1980

68 min · 11 tracks · jazz fusion

A vibrant confluence of jazz fusion and melodic improvisation, showcasing Hutcherson's signature vibraphone work across diverse musical landscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Medina — The title track stands out with its expansive structure and rich harmonic textures, emphasizing Hutcherson's mastery of the vibraphone while exploring intricate themes.
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Poor People's March — This track captures a sense of social consciousness through its dynamic rhythms and emotive melodies, showcasing the album’s thematic depth.
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Orientale — With its exotic influences and intricate arrangements, this piece highlights Hutcherson's ability to blend cultural sounds into a cohesive jazz narrative.

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 vibrant jazz fusion with melodic improvisation, showcasing Hutcherson's vibraphone work effectively.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational sections, particularly on tracks like 'Medina' and 'Spiral', allowing for intricate melodic exploration.
Each track showcases a different ensemble configuration, with varying instrumentation that highlights the vibraphone's versatility.
The tempo shifts frequently throughout the record, with some tracks maintaining a steady groove while others venture into more free-form expressions.

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 3/10

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

dynamic journey with rhythmic peaks
wave-like pacing encourages exploration
intricate melodies for attentive listening
conversational interplay among instruments
reflective moments for deep thought

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer straightforward, upbeat tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1980, Medina marked Bobby Hutcherson's return to the recording scene after a five-year hiatus. This album followed his explorations in various styles during the 1970s and showcased his evolving artistry at a time when jazz fusion was gaining prominence.
Stylistic neighbors: McCoy Tyner· Joe Chambers· Gary Burton