Nocturne
Oliver Nelson · 1961
39 min · 7 tracks · jazz
A lush blend of intricate arrangements and soulful improvisations that captures the essence of early 1960s jazz.
Top tracks — play these first
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Nocturne — The title track features haunting melodies that illustrate Nelson's skillful orchestration and emotional depth, setting the tone for the entire album.
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In a Sentimental Mood — This rendition offers a lush arrangement that highlights the interplay between soloist and ensemble, showcasing Nelson's ability to create evocative atmospheres.
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Bob's Blues — A standout composition with a swinging groove, it showcases Nelson’s intricate yet accessible approach to blues within a jazz framework.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalNocturne displays intricate arrangements and strong improvisational elements, marking it as a distinctive jazz work of its time.
What we noticed
- The album features a lush orchestration with strings and woodwinds complementing the brass, creating a rich harmonic texture throughout.
- Each track showcases extended improvisation sections, allowing soloists to explore themes while maintaining cohesive arrangements.
- The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo groove, while the last two tracks slow down significantly, providing a contrasting dynamic shift.
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- steady pacing for evening relaxation
- lush soundscapes for introspective moments
- gradual builds leading to resolution
- soulful improvisation for deep listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced or upbeat music
- seek standalone tracks over cohesion
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in April 1961, 'Nocturne' was Oliver Nelson's third studio album, following his critically acclaimed work on 'The Blues and the Abstract Truth'. At this point in his career, Nelson was establishing himself as a prominent composer and arranger in the jazz scene, showcasing his unique ability to merge bebop with more accessible melodic elements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Horace Silver· Wayne Shorter· Herbie Hancock
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Nocturne 3:46
- 2 Bob's Blues 5:31
- 3 Man With a Horn 6:08
- 4 Early Morning 4:48
- 5 In a Sentimental Mood 6:15
- 6 Azur'te 5:42
- 7 Time After Time 7:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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