Passin' Thru
Charles Lloyd · 2017
74 min · 7 tracks · blues
Spiritual jazz interweaves with bluesy undertones, creating a meditative soundscape that invites deep introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Dream Weaver — The extended opening track showcases Lloyd's skillful improvisation and sets the spiritual tone for the album through its lush melodies and patient pacing.
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Nu Blues — This track blends traditional blues elements with jazz improvisation, highlighting Lloyd's ability to fuse genres while maintaining emotional resonance.
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Shiva Prayer — Infused with Indian classical music influences, this piece reflects Lloyd's broad musical interests and his capacity to evoke transcendent experiences in listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends spiritual jazz with bluesy elements, creating an introspective soundscape.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow, contemplative melody that sets a meditative tone for the album.
- Each track features extended improvisation, allowing the musicians to explore themes rather than adhering strictly to song structures.
- The album's final track gradually fades out, leaving a lingering sense of reflection and tranquility.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
- introspective late-night listening
- extended tracks for deep focus
- soulful improvisation and contemplation
- patient melodies that unfold slowly
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, punchy tracks
- seek constant upbeat energy
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2017, Passin' Thru is Charles Lloyd's first album after a five-year hiatus since 2012's Lift Every Voice. At this point, Lloyd had already established himself as a significant figure in jazz, seamlessly blending various influences throughout his career and continuing to explore new musical territories with seasoned collaborators.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ornette Coleman· Wayne Shorter· Kamasi Washington
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Dream Weaver 17:45
- 2 Part 5, Ruminations 11:54
- 3 Nu Blues 11:51
- 4 How Can I Tell You 9:46
- 5 Tagore on the Delta 7:45
- 6 Passin’ Thru 7:22
- 7 Shiva Prayer 8:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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