What makes One Too Many Salty Swift and Not Goodbye by Cecil Taylor notable?

The album is notable for its ambitious length and complexity, exemplifying Taylor's unique approach to rhythm and collective improvisation. It received critical acclaim for its innovative sound, helping to solidify Taylor's influence on subsequent generations of free jazz musicians. By the time 'One Too Many Salty Swift and Not Goodbye' was released in 1980, Cecil Taylor had already established himself as a pioneering figure in avant-garde jazz, following his influential albums from the 1960s and 1970s. This album arrived during a period when Taylor was pushing the boundaries of jazz further into abstraction, showcasing an evolving band dynamic that included various configurations of his ensemble.

Who is One Too Many Salty Swift and Not Goodbye for?

One Too Many Salty Swift and Not Goodbye works well if you're into extended improvisational exploration, wave-like pacing throughout and deep emotional resonance present.

How many songs are on One Too Many Salty Swift and Not Goodbye?

One Too Many Salty Swift and Not Goodbye has 11 tracks, running approximately 148 minutes.

One Too Many Salty Swift and Not Goodbye

Cecil Taylor · 1980

148 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A sprawling, dynamic tapestry of avant-garde jazz that intertwines explosive improvisation with intricate rhythmic structures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Cecil Taylor Unit — This track epitomizes the album's exploration of collective improvisation, featuring a rich interplay between piano and ensemble that showcases Taylor's distinctive style.
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Duet — The shorter version of this duet highlights the intimate conversation between instruments, revealing Taylor's ability to create tension and resolution within a brief framework.
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Cecil Taylor Unit — This extended piece captures the essence of Taylor’s expansive vision, allowing for deep exploration of sonic landscapes and rhythmic experimentation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

76 /100

Alpine

Higher than 98% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate improvisation and unique rhythmic structures, solidifying Taylor's avant-garde jazz identity.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational sections, with tracks often exceeding ten minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes.
Multiple pieces are structured around collective improvisation, where musicians interact dynamically rather than following a strict melody.
The first half of the album emphasizes dense, complex rhythms, while the latter half shifts to more spacious and contemplative soundscapes.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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

extended improvisational exploration
wave-like pacing throughout
deep emotional resonance present
mindful listening for details
reflective moments of solitude

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer short, structured pieces

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'One Too Many Salty Swift and Not Goodbye' was released in 1980, Cecil Taylor had already established himself as a pioneering figure in avant-garde jazz, following his influential albums from the 1960s and 1970s. This album arrived during a period when Taylor was pushing the boundaries of jazz further into abstraction, showcasing an evolving band dynamic that included various configurations of his ensemble.
Stylistic neighbors: Sun Ra· Ornette Coleman· Anthony Braxton