Released 20 years ago
Penumbra
The Bennie Maupin Ensemble · 2006
60 min · 14 tracks
A rich tapestry of improvisational jazz interwoven with intricate melodies and complex rhythmic structures.
Top tracks — play these first
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Walter Bishop Jr. — This track pays homage to the legendary pianist Walter Bishop Jr., featuring intricate piano lines that intertwine beautifully with Maupin's woodwinds, showcasing the ensemble's tight interplay.
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Message To Prez — In this piece, the ensemble uses a blend of rhythmic complexity and melodic fluidity to create a tribute to President Bill Clinton, capturing both celebration and critique through its layered instrumentation.
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One For Eric Dolphy — This track serves as a tribute to avant-garde saxophonist Eric Dolphy, featuring bold improvisations that reflect Dolphy's influence on experimental jazz and highlight the ensemble's virtuosity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate improvisation and diverse instrumentation, marking it as a notable entry in contemporary jazz.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response patterns between instruments, enhancing the conversational quality of the ensemble.
- The use of varied instrumentation, including woodwinds and brass, allows for a rich textural contrast throughout the record.
- The final track concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving an open-ended feeling that invites reflection.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- dynamic exploration with resolution
- wave-like pacing through tracks
- intricate improvisation and grooves
- thoughtful moments for reflection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Penumbra' was released in 2006, Bennie Maupin was already an established figure in the jazz scene, known for his work with artists like Miles Davis. This album followed his previous project, 'The Jewel in the Lotus', and showcased a deepening exploration of collective improvisation with his ensemble.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Neophilia 2005 4:36
- 2 Walter Bishop Jr. 6:37
- 3 Level Three 3:17
- 4 Blinkers 1:24
- 5 Penumbra 7:06
- 6 Mirror Image 1:17
- 7 Message To Prez 6:07
- 8 Tapping Things 5:40
- 9 Vapors 4:45
- 10 One For Eric Dolphy 2:38
- 11 See The Positive 2:53
- 12 Trope On A Rope 3:51
- 13 The 12th Day 2:58
- 14 Equal Justice 7:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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