Migration
Dave Grusin · 1989
62 min · 14 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of jazz and world music, weaving intricate melodies with rhythmic diversity and lush instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Punta Del Soul Start here — Opening with an infectious groove, this track exemplifies Grusin's ability to merge Latin rhythms with smooth jazz sensibilities, setting a vibrant tone for the album.
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Southwest Passage — This piece highlights Grusin's intricate arrangements and showcases a dynamic interplay between instruments that captures the essence of cross-cultural musical dialogue.
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Dancing in the Township — The track features an upbeat tempo and joyful melodies that evoke a sense of celebration, illustrating Grusin's talent for creating immersive soundscapes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends jazz with world music influences, showcasing varied instrumentation and rhythms but lacks strong thematic cohesion.
What we noticed
- Each track showcases a different instrumental focus, with pieces like 'Punta Del Soul' emphasizing piano while others highlight brass or percussion.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- dynamic journey with quiet moments
- vibrant rhythms for explorative listening
- melodic storytelling across tracks
- wave-like pacing invites reflection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album contributed to the popularization of contemporary jazz in the late '80s.
- Themes
- Latin rhythms· cross-cultural dialogue· celebratory soundscapes
- Career context
- Migration marks Dave Grusin's continued exploration of jazz fusion after his successful work in film scoring, including the Academy Award-winning score for The Milagro Beanfield War in 1988. At this point in his career, Grusin was transitioning into more personal projects, showcasing his diverse influences and musical evolution.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chick Corea· Herbie Hancock· Brad Mehldau
Tracklist
- 1 Punta Del Soul Start here 5:33
- 2 Southwest Passage 5:51
- 3 First-Time Love 4:07
- 4 Western Women 4:41
- 5 Dancing in the Township 6:08
- 6 Old Bones 6:15
- 7 In the Middle of the Night 5:54
- 8 T.K.O. 5:50
- 9 Polina 6:57
- 10 Lupita 1:10
- 11 Coyote Angel 3:31
- 12 Pistolero 1:49
- 13 Milagro 2:37
- 14 Fiesta 2:24
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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