Silent Tongues cover

Silent Tongues

Cecil Taylor · 1975

52 min · 6 tracks · jazz

An intricate tapestry of dissonant melodies and unpredictable rhythms that challenge the boundaries of jazz improvisation.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Silent Tongues: Abyss (First Movement) / Petals & Filaments (Second Movement) / Jitney (Third Movement) — This opening suite encapsulates the album's ethos, intertwining abstract textures with emotional depth, establishing a foundation for the subsequent movements.
  • →
    Silent Tongues: Crossing (Fourth Movement), Part One — Part One of this movement showcases Taylor's ability to build tension through intricate rhythmic patterns and dynamic contrasts, highlighting his unique touch on the piano.
  • →
    Jitney No. 2 — This shorter piece offers a more accessible glimpse into Taylor's avant-garde style while still pushing the boundaries of conventional jazz norms.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
76 /100
Alpine
Higher than 98% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate structure and bold improvisation mark it as a significant work in avant-garde jazz.

What we noticed

  • The album is structured in five movements, each exploring different themes and textures, with the final two tracks serving as variations on earlier pieces.
  • Improvisation dominates the performance, with frequent shifts in tempo and dynamics that create a sense of unpredictability.
  • Dissonant melodies intertwine throughout, often featuring complex polyrhythms that challenge traditional jazz forms.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
9/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with resolution
  • sprawling exploration of sound
  • intense emotional spontaneity
  • patient unfolding of movements

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification tracks
  • seek traditional song structures

Where this album fits

Career context
By 1975, Cecil Taylor had established himself as a pioneering figure in avant-garde jazz, building on his previous works like 'Unit Structures' (1966). 'Silent Tongues' represents a continuation of his innovative approach to jazz performance, marked by intense piano improvisations and complex structures, showcasing his artistic evolution as he explored new forms of expression.
Stylistic neighbors
Sun Ra· Ornette Coleman· Anthony Braxton
New to Cecil Taylor? Find your way in →

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Silent Tongues: Abyss (First Movement) / Petals & Filaments (Second Movement) / Jitney (Third Movement) 18:06
  • 2 Silent Tongues: Crossing (Fourth Movement), Part One 8:30
  • 3 Silent Tongues: Crossing (Fourth Movement), Part Two 10:00
  • 4 Silent Tongues: After All (Fifth Movement) 9:32
  • 5 Jitney No. 2 3:25
  • 6 After All No. 2 2:30

What to play next

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata