Ode to the Living Tree
Andrew Cyrille · 1995
67 min · 8 tracks · jazz
A rich tapestry of avant-garde jazz woven with spiritual motifs and intricate rhythms that invite deep listening.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
A Love Supreme - Acknowledgement and Resolution — This track serves as a homage to John Coltrane, intricately intertwining improvisation with spiritual depth, highlighting Cyrille's rhythmic mastery and compositional skill.
-
→
Ode to the Living Tree — The title track encapsulates the album's thematic focus on nature and spirituality, featuring lush textures and dynamic interplay between instruments that reflect growth and resilience.
-
→
Midnight Samba — This piece showcases Cyrille's ability to blend various cultural influences into a cohesive sound, fusing samba rhythms with avant-garde jazz elements that create an immersive listening experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's intricate rhythms and spiritual motifs create a distinctive avant-garde jazz experience.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisational sections, with several tracks exceeding seven minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
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
- patient improvisation that unfolds gradually
- deep listening for rhythmic nuances
- evening reflection with gentle melodies
- exploratory sessions for open minds
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer catchy, upbeat tunes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Ode to the Living Tree' was released in 1995, Andrew Cyrille had established himself as a significant figure in the avant-garde jazz scene, having previously collaborated with luminaries like Cecil Taylor. This album followed his earlier work, showcasing his evolution as both a drummer and composer, while also reflecting a mature synthesis of his experiences in the jazz world.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sunny Murray· Jack DeJohnette· William Hooker
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Coast to Coast 5:49
- 2 A Love Supreme - Acknowledgement and Resolution 19:46
- 3 Mr. P.C. 4:17
- 4 Ode to the Living Tree 8:50
- 5 Dakar Darkness 5:40
- 6 So That Life Can Endure..., P.S. With Love 9:52
- 7 Midnight Samba 9:56
- 8 Water, Water, Water 3:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.