Is Of Human Feelings a good place to start with Ornette Coleman?

Yes, Of Human Feelings is recommended as a starting point for new Ornette Coleman listeners. A vibrant blend of free jazz and structured melodies that explores the complexities of human emotion through innovative instrumentation. By 1982, Ornette Coleman was already an influential figure in jazz, having pioneered the free jazz movement in the late 1950s. 'Of Human Feelings' marked a return to recorded music after a five-year hiatus, following his 1979 album 'Secrets'. This release showcased Coleman's continued evolution as a composer and improviser, exploring more accessible forms while retaining his avant-garde roots.

Who is Of Human Feelings for?

Of Human Feelings works well if you're into steady exploratory emotional landscapes, vibrant grooves for active listening and engaging improvisation for curious minds.

How many songs are on Of Human Feelings?

Of Human Feelings has 8 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Of Human Feelings

Ornette Coleman · 1982

36 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of free jazz and structured melodies that explores the complexities of human emotion through innovative instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Sleep Talk Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Jump Street — This track exemplifies Coleman's ability to blend complex rhythms with a sense of groove, showcasing both his improvisational skill and melodic sensibility.
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Air Ship — With its expansive structure and ethereal quality, this piece captures the essence of human emotion and creativity that pervades the album.
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Love Words — This track stands out for its intimate exploration of romantic themes, featuring poignant phrasing that highlights Coleman's lyrical approach to jazz.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album blends structured melodies with free jazz elements, showcasing unique instrumentation and complexity.

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: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady exploratory emotional landscapes
vibrant grooves for active listening
engaging improvisation for curious minds
short tracks for focused sessions

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — It blends free jazz with structured melodies, marking a departure in Coleman's sound.
Career context: By 1982, Ornette Coleman was already an influential figure in jazz, having pioneered the free jazz movement in the late 1950s. 'Of Human Feelings' marked a return to recorded music after a five-year hiatus, following his 1979 album 'Secrets'. This release showcased Coleman's continued evolution as a composer and improviser, exploring more accessible forms while retaining his avant-garde roots.
Stylistic neighbors: Albert Ayler· John Coltrane· Cecil Taylor