Is Piece for My Peace a good place to start with John Hicks?

Yes, Piece for My Peace is recommended as a starting point for new John Hicks listeners. A soothing blend of smooth jazz and heartfelt melodies, showcasing intricate piano work and a warm ensemble sound. Released in 1995, Piece for My Peace is John Hicks' third studio album, following his acclaimed album, The New York Trio Sessions. At this time, Hicks was solidifying his reputation as a prominent jazz pianist and composer, known for his ability to blend traditional jazz with contemporary influences.

Who is Piece for My Peace for?

Piece for My Peace works well if you're into steady melodic progression throughout, introspective moments of tranquility and soothing background for reflection.

How many songs are on Piece for My Peace?

Piece for My Peace has 10 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Piece for My Peace

John Hicks · 1995

56 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A soothing blend of smooth jazz and heartfelt melodies, showcasing intricate piano work and a warm ensemble sound.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Faith Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
→
Piece for My Peace — The title track encapsulates the album's tranquil spirit, featuring lush harmonies and improvisational dialogues that illustrate Hicks' emotive playing style.
→
So in Love — This track highlights Hicks' sensitivity as a pianist, transforming the original composition into an intimate exploration of love through rich chords and delicate phrasing.
→
I Should Care — A standout cover that reveals Hicks' ability to reinterpret familiar material, infusing it with fresh emotional depth through his nuanced performance.

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 showcases strong compositions and skilled arrangements, creating a cohesive and soothing listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of piano as the lead instrument, with intricate melodies that often weave in and out of the ensemble's harmonies.
Each track maintains a relaxed tempo, with no sudden shifts in dynamics or rhythm that could disrupt the soothing atmosphere.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 melodic progression throughout
introspective moments of tranquility
soothing background for reflection
gentle pacing for relaxation

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy excitement
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Fan Favorite — Beloved for its introspective compositions and intricate piano work.
Career context: Released in 1995, Piece for My Peace is John Hicks' third studio album, following his acclaimed album, The New York Trio Sessions. At this time, Hicks was solidifying his reputation as a prominent jazz pianist and composer, known for his ability to blend traditional jazz with contemporary influences.
Stylistic neighbors: McCoy Tyner· Chick Corea· Ahmad Jamal