What makes Monterey Moods by Gerald Wilson notable?

Monterey Moods received critical acclaim, showcasing Wilson's ability to blend traditional jazz structures with modern sensibilities. The album was noted for its lush arrangements and was celebrated within the jazz community, further solidifying Wilson's legacy as a significant figure in the genre. In 2007, Gerald Wilson was an established jazz composer and bandleader, releasing Monterey Moods as part of his late-career renaissance. This album followed his Grammy-nominated work in the early 2000s and demonstrates his continued evolution in orchestral jazz composition.

How many songs are on Monterey Moods?

Monterey Moods has 9 tracks, running approximately 59 minutes.

Monterey Moods

Gerald Wilson · 2007

59 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A vibrant tapestry of jazz styles, blending orchestral arrangements with intricate improvisations that evoke a rich emotional landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Monterey Moods Suite: Allegro — The opening track sets the tone for the entire suite with its energetic tempo and intricate orchestration, highlighting Wilson's masterful arrangement skills.
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Monterey Moods Suite: Jazz Swing Waltz — This piece showcases a playful fusion of swing and waltz rhythms, demonstrating Wilson's innovative approach to combining different musical styles within a single composition.
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I Concentrate on You — Wilson's interpretation of this classic standard provides a fresh perspective through lush orchestration and expressive solos, exemplifying his ability to breathe new life into familiar material.

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

The album blends various jazz styles within a suite format, showcasing strong craftsmanship and composition.

What we noticed

The final three tracks shift in tempo and mood, with 'Bass Solo' providing a moment of introspection before returning to more lively pieces.
Each track features intricate improvisations that showcase the musicians' technical skills while maintaining cohesive thematic elements.

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 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.

Tracklist

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

1 Monterey Moods Suite: Allegro 6:12
2 Monterey Moods Suite: Jazz Swing Waltz 9:09
3 Monterey Moods Suite: Ballad 7:09
4 Monterey Moods Suite: Latin Swing 11:35
5 Monterey Moods Suite: Blues 10:01
6 Monterey Moods Suite: Bass Solo 2:27
7 Monterey Moods Suite: Hard Swing 1:41
8 I Concentrate on You 6:00
9 The Mini Waltz 5:25

What to play next

Listen next

Detroit

2009

Go back to

In My Time

2005

Full Gerald Wilson discography Artists like Gerald Wilson

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata