Mythical Magic
Joanne Brackeen · 1979
41 min · 9 tracks · jazz
An intricate weave of jazz fusion that blends whimsical melodies with complex rhythms, showcasing Brackeen's virtuosic piano work.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mythical Magic — The title track encapsulates the album's thematic essence, blending intricate melodies with an expansive structure that showcases Brackeen's innovative compositional style.
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Hobbits — This track features playful motifs and complex rhythmic shifts, illustrating Brackeen's ability to merge whimsy with sophistication in her music.
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Phantom's Forum — With its haunting melodies and rich harmonic language, this piece demonstrates Brackeen's skill in creating evocative soundscapes that transport listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases intricate compositions and strong performances but lacks a cohesive narrative across its tracks.
What we noticed
- Each track varies in tempo and mood, with some pieces like 'Hobbits' incorporating playful melodies while others like 'Phantom's Forum' delve into more intense improvisation.
- Several tracks include extended solos, particularly from the piano, allowing Brackeen to showcase her technical prowess and creativity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- whimsical themes with playful energy
- intricate melodies for attentive listeners
- dynamic shifts in rhythm
- short tracks for varied exploration
Maybe skip if you
- dislike complex rhythmic structures
- prefer straightforward, predictable tunes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1979, Mythical Magic is Joanne Brackeen's third album and marks her growing prominence in the jazz fusion scene. Following her earlier works, this album showcases her maturation as a composer and pianist, highlighting her innovative approach to harmonies and improvisation during a time when female musicians were gaining recognition in a male-dominated genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chick Corea· Herbie Hancock· McCoy Tyner
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Foreign Ray 3:46
- 2 Mythical Magic 7:46
- 3 Hobbits 4:13
- 4 Told You So 4:02
- 5 Phantom's Forum 4:30
- 6 Transition 4:00
- 7 Of Gnomes in Dance 5:36
- 8 Now or Never 4:39
- 9 Minuend 3:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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