Regalia cover

Regalia

Cecil Taylor · 1989

74 min · 2 tracks · jazz

An expansive exploration of free jazz, weaving intricate piano textures with ethereal soundscapes and spontaneous improvisations.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Snake Charm — Clocking in at over forty minutes, this track exemplifies Taylor's ability to create a cohesive narrative through extended improvisation, showcasing his signature piano style.
  • →
    Regalia — The second track blends complex motifs with rich textures, illustrating Taylor's innovative approach to composition and spontaneity in performance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
73 /100
Alpine
Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate improvisation and unique textures showcase Taylor's distinct voice in avant-garde jazz.

What we noticed

  • The album consists of two lengthy tracks, each featuring extended improvisation that allows for deep exploration of themes.
  • Both tracks exhibit a non-linear structure, with shifts in dynamics and tempo that challenge conventional jazz forms.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
9/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Snake Charm 42:08
  • 2 Regalia 32:04

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata