Old Bottles - New Wine cover

Old Bottles - New Wine

Ray Anderson · 1985

39 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of jazz and funk, characterized by playful brass arrangements and infectious rhythms that invite movement.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Love Me or Leave Me — This track features a compelling interplay between Anderson's trombone and the rhythm section, capturing the essence of his ability to blend lyrical melodies with intricate grooves.
  • →
    Bohemia After Dark — With its dynamic arrangement and engaging improvisation, this track highlights Anderson's skill in creating vibrant soundscapes that evoke a lively atmosphere.
  • →
    In a Mellotone — This interpretation of a jazz standard showcases Anderson's unique tonal style and creative phrasing, offering a fresh take on a classic piece while maintaining its core essence.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong brass arrangements and infectious rhythms, marking a distinctive voice in jazz fusion.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of brass instruments, with layered arrangements that create a rich, vibrant sound throughout.
  • Each track maintains a lively tempo, with rhythmic variations that encourage movement and engagement from the listener.
  • The final track includes an extended improvisational section, allowing the musicians to explore themes introduced earlier in the album.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • playful brass arrangements that energize
  • inviting rhythms for dancing along
  • short tracks with vibrant bursts
  • late-night gatherings with friends

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer slow, contemplative music
  • want lengthy, immersive albums

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1985, Old Bottles - New Wine marked Ray Anderson's emergence as a distinctive voice in the jazz scene following his earlier work with the avant-garde group, the World Saxophone Quartet. This album showcases his development as a solo artist, blending traditional jazz elements with contemporary funk influences, solidifying his presence in the jazz community.
Stylistic neighbors
Joe Lovano· Christian McBride· Chick Corea

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Love Me or Leave Me 4:53
  • 2 Bohemia After Dark 5:21
  • 3 La Rosita 6:32
  • 4 Ow! 3:37
  • 5 In a Mellotone 6:29
  • 6 Laird Baird 5:46
  • 7 Wine 6:46

What to play next

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Listen next

You Be

1986
Right Down Your Alley
Go back to

Right Down Your Alley

1984
Full Ray Anderson discography Artists like Ray Anderson
jazz jazz-funk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata