What makes N.Y. Ain't So Bad – Ali Plays the Blues by Rashied Ali notable?

The album is significant for its unique blending of free jazz and blues, contributing to the era's evolving sound palette. It received positive critical acclaim, particularly for its innovative arrangements and musicianship, helping to solidify Ali's reputation in the jazz community. Released in 1976, N.Y. Ain't So Bad – Ali Plays the Blues marks Rashied Ali's second album as a bandleader, following his debut, New Directions. At this time, he was establishing himself within the free jazz movement while simultaneously exploring more traditional blues elements, showcasing his versatility as a drummer and composer.

How many songs are on N.Y. Ain't So Bad – Ali Plays the Blues?

N.Y. Ain't So Bad – Ali Plays the Blues has 8 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Released 50 years ago

N.Y. Ain't So Bad – Ali Plays the Blues

Rashied Ali · 1976

37 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of avant-garde improvisation and traditional blues that captures the essence of New York's jazz scene in the 1970s.

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Top tracks — play these first

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New York Ain't So Bad — The title track encapsulates the album's spirit, featuring a lively interplay between rhythm and melody that reflects both optimism and urban grit.
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Ladies And Gentleman Blues — This track showcases Ali's ability to weave intricate rhythms with soulful blues motifs, highlighting his unique approach to drumming and composition.
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Stormy Monday — Ali's rendition adds a fresh perspective to this classic blues standard, emphasizing improvisational flair while maintaining emotional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends free jazz and blues through improvisation, showcasing strong musicianship and unique arrangements.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational sections where the musicians engage in call-and-response patterns, creating a dynamic interplay.
Several tracks incorporate traditional blues structures but are layered with avant-garde elements, resulting in a unique fusion.
The tempo varies significantly across tracks, with some maintaining a steady groove while others explore more free-form expressions.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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 New York Ain't So Bad 3:00
2 Boss Home Town Love 4:40
3 Moontipping 5:00
4 Everyday 4:45
5 Ladies And Gentleman Blues 6:42
6 Real Blues 4:15
7 Royal's Blues 3:40
8 Stormy Monday 5:55

What to play next

Listen next

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jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata