What makes Revealing by James Blood Ulmer notable?

Revealing is notable for its innovative approach to blending genres, receiving praise from critics for its bold experimentation. The album contributed to Ulmer's recognition within both the jazz and blues communities and has influenced subsequent artists seeking to merge these styles. Released in 1990, Revealing is James Blood Ulmer's sixth studio album, following his critically acclaimed album, Things We Like. At this point in his career, Ulmer was solidifying his unique sound that blended blues, jazz, and avant-garde influences, further establishing himself as a key figure in the world of jazz fusion.

How many songs are on Revealing?

Revealing has 4 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Revealing

James Blood Ulmer · 1990

36 min · 4 tracks · blues

A fusion of blues and jazz that weaves complex rhythms with Ulmer's expressive guitar work and soulful vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Revealing — The title track showcases Ulmer's unique guitar style and vocal delivery, setting the tone for the album's exploration of personal themes through a musical lens.
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Raw Groove — This track features an infectious rhythm and intricate guitar lines that exemplify Ulmer's ability to blend improvisation with structured compositions.
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Love Nest — With its extended duration, this piece allows Ulmer to fully explore emotional depth and musical complexity, making it a standout representation of his artistic vision.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

62 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Ulmer's blend of blues and jazz is distinct, with strong improvisation and craftsmanship throughout the album.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features intricate guitar lines layered over complex rhythmic patterns, setting a dynamic tone.
Each of the four tracks showcases Ulmer's improvisational skills, with extended solos that shift between blues and jazz motifs.
The final track employs a slower tempo and sparse instrumentation, creating a contrasting atmosphere compared to the preceding songs.

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

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Revealing 8:20
2 Raw Groove 8:54
3 Overtime 9:07
4 Love Nest 10:05

What to play next

Listen next

Black and Blues

1991

Go back to

Elec. Jazz

1990

Full James Blood Ulmer discography Artists like James Blood Ulmer

blues jazz fusion

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata