Motherland Pulse cover

Motherland Pulse

Steve Coleman · 1985

40 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of complex rhythms and avant-garde jazz, weaving together intricate melodies with an energetic pulse.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Irate Blues — This track showcases Coleman's ability to merge traditional blues elements with intricate rhythmic structures, setting the tone for the album's exploration of cultural roots.
  • →
    Another Level — Here, Coleman experiments with polyrhythmic patterns that highlight the interplay between the instruments, emphasizing his unique compositional style.
  • →
    Motherland Pulse — The title track encapsulates the album's thematic essence by blending rich melodic lines with complex syncopation, representing a culmination of Coleman's conceptual vision.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Coleman's debut blends intricate rhythms and melodies, establishing a distinctive voice in jazz.

What we noticed

  • Each track showcases intricate melodic lines that often intertwine, reflecting a strong sense of collective improvisation.
  • The use of varied instrumentation, including horns and percussion, adds layers of texture and depth to the compositions.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 Irate Blues 4:22
  • 2 Another Level 5:46
  • 3 Cüd Ba-Rith 5:02
  • 4 Wights Waits for Weights 5:13
  • 5 No Good Time Fairies 5:48
  • 6 On This 5:11
  • 7 The Glide Was in the Ride 4:02
  • 8 Motherland Pulse 5:10

What to play next

On the Edge of Tomorrow
Listen next

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata