'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia
Kenny Dorham · 1957
65 min · 9 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of hard bop and cool jazz, showcasing intricate melodies and improvisational brilliance.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
'round About Midnight — This interpretation of the classic standard stands out for its atmospheric arrangement and Dorham's emotive trumpet playing, establishing a deep connection with listeners.
-
→
A Night in Tunisia — Dorham's rendition transforms this iconic piece into a vibrant showcase of rhythmic complexity, highlighting his technical prowess and innovative style.
-
→
K.D.'s Blues — An original composition, this track encapsulates Dorham's unique voice in jazz with its reflective mood and masterful improvisation, demonstrating his songwriting ability.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong compositions and improvisation but has some pacing inconsistencies.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brisk tempo on 'Monaco' and maintains a lively pace through the first four tracks before slowing down.
- Each track features extended improvisational sections, allowing musicians to explore intricate melodies and harmonies.
- The final two tracks, 'K.D.'s Blues' and 'Who Cares', introduce a more reflective tone, contrasting with the earlier energy.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gradual build to rich resolutions
- late-night cafe ambiance
- vibrant urban pulse reflections
- headphone detail exploration
- patient unfolding of themes
Maybe skip if you
- instant gratification seekers
- short attention span listeners
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1957, 'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia marked Kenny Dorham's emergence as a leading figure in the hard bop movement. This album came shortly after his participation in seminal recordings with legendary artists like Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, positioning him firmly within the jazz scene of the time.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lee Morgan· Clifford Brown· Donald Byrd
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Monaco 6:43
- 2 'round About Midnight 7:45
- 3 Mexico City 6:01
- 4 A Night in Tunisia 9:36
- 5 Autumn in New York 4:39
- 6 Hill's Edge 8:19
- 7 K.D.'s Blues 9:28
- 8 Who Cares 6:19
- 9 Mexico City (alternate take) 6:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.