Single Petal of a Rose
65 min · 11 tracks · jazz
An intricate blend of jazz improvisation and heartfelt melodies, echoing the nuances of life and memory.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sometime Ago Start here — This opening track features haunting piano lines that set the reflective tone for the album, blending nostalgia with sophisticated harmonics.
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Ballad of Black Man — A poignant tribute, this piece intertwines soulful melodies with powerful rhythmic structures, addressing themes of identity and resilience in the African American experience.
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Single Petal of a Rose — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, displaying Hicks' lyrical piano style alongside rich improvisational dialogues with his bandmates.
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A Child Is Born — With its gentle yet profound arrangement, this track showcases Hicks' ability to convey deep emotion through subtle dynamics and melodic phrasing.
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 skilled performances, though it may not have widespread recognition.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of intricate piano melodies accompanied by subtle bass and percussion, creating a rich harmonic texture.
- Improvisational sections are prominent throughout, allowing the musicians to explore themes while retaining a cohesive sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
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
- dynamic peaks with soulful improvisations
- wave-like pacing for reflective moments
- emotive melodies for deep listening
- for late-night introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — This album is noted for its innovative arrangements and emotional depth.
- Career context
- When John Hicks released 'Single Petal of a Rose' in 1998, he was an established pianist known for his collaborations with jazz legends like Betty Carter and Max Roach. This album came after a period of prolific performances and recordings, showcasing his maturation as a bandleader and composer, marking his transition from sideman to a prominent solo artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- McCoy Tyner· Chick Corea· Ahmad Jamal
Tracklist
- 1 Sometime Ago Start here 5:20
- 2 Infant Eyes 8:45
- 3 Yes or No 4:14
- 4 Ballad of Black Man 3:49
- 5 Ghosts of Yesterday 4:30
- 6 Portraits 5:59
- 7 Topaz 5:31
- 8 A Child Is Born 7:04
- 9 Single Petal of a Rose 4:55
- 10 Embraceable You 9:29
- 11 Virgo 5:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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