Is Momentum a good place to start with Steve Lacy?

Yes, Momentum is recommended as a starting point for new Steve Lacy listeners. A meditative blend of avant-garde jazz infused with intricate harmonies and explorative improvisations. Momentum is Steve Lacy's second solo album, released shortly after his influential work as a member of the innovative jazz group Thelonious Monk Quartet. By 1987, Lacy had established himself as a prominent figure in the avant-garde jazz scene, known for his unique approach to the soprano saxophone and composition. This album showcases his continued evolution as an artist, pushing the boundaries of jazz through experimental structures and sounds.

Momentum works well if you're into patient explorations of soundscapes, immersive journeys through extended compositions and reflective moments of introspection.

How many songs are on Momentum?

Momentum has 6 tracks, running approximately 63 minutes.

Momentum

Steve Lacy · 1987

63 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A meditative blend of avant-garde jazz infused with intricate harmonies and explorative improvisations.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Bath Start here — Clocking in at over thirteen minutes, this track exemplifies Lacy's masterful use of space and silence, allowing tension to build before releasing into lyrical melodies.
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The Gaze — This composition features intricate interactions between instruments that highlight Lacy's ability to weave complex dialogues within a minimalistic framework.
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Momentum — The title track serves as a pivotal piece that encapsulates the album's themes of movement and fluidity, showcasing Lacy's innovative improvisational style.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

patient explorations of soundscapes
immersive journeys through extended compositions
reflective moments of introspection
dynamic shifts in emotional tones

Maybe skip if you

prefer concise, upbeat tracks
seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A solid entry in Lacy's catalog that may not be widely recognized.
Themes: avant-garde exploration· minimalist dialogues· meditative improvisation
Career context: Momentum is Steve Lacy's second solo album, released shortly after his influential work as a member of the innovative jazz group Thelonious Monk Quartet. By 1987, Lacy had established himself as a prominent figure in the avant-garde jazz scene, known for his unique approach to the soprano saxophone and composition. This album showcases his continued evolution as an artist, pushing the boundaries of jazz through experimental structures and sounds.
Stylistic neighbors: Thundercat· Anderson .Paak· Mac Ayres