Smooth as the Wind
Blue Mitchell · 1961
38 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A smooth blend of luscious melodies and intricate improvisation, embodying the elegance of early 1960s jazz.
Top tracks — play these first
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Smooth as the Wind — The title track opens the album with an exquisite melody that highlights Mitchell's warm tone and lyrical phrasing, setting the tone for the record.
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But Beautiful — This track features a tender ballad style that showcases both Mitchell's emotional depth and the intricate interplay between the accompanying musicians.
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The Nearness of You — Mitchell's rendition of this standard transforms it into a poignant exploration of longing, highlighted by his expressive phrasing and nuanced dynamics.
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, maintaining a smooth jazz aesthetic throughout.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush horn arrangements, with the trumpet often taking the lead over a smooth rhythm section.
- Each track maintains a relaxed tempo, with several pieces employing extended improvisation sections that showcase the musicians' skills.
- The first five tracks are all ballads, creating a cohesive mood before shifting to more upbeat tempos in the latter half.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- luscious melodies for relaxation
- intimate moments of quiet reflection
- smooth tunes for evening unwinding
- short tracks for casual listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy, fast-paced music
- seek heavy, complex arrangements
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1961, Smooth as the Wind is Blue Mitchell's fourth album, following his notable work on other artists' records. At this point in his career, he was establishing himself as a prominent trumpeter within the hard bop and jazz scene, having collaborated with legends like Horace Silver and Art Blakey.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lee Morgan· Donald Byrd· Art Farmer
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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For Heaven's Sake
The moment shifts from a nostalgic reminiscence to a direct plea for connection, capturing an emotional intensity that resonates throughout the song.
This shift draws listeners deeper into the narrative, emphasizing vulnerability at a pivotal point while contrasting earlier reflective tones.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Smooth as the Wind 5:14
- 2 But Beautiful 3:38
- 3 The Best Things in Life Are Free 3:20
- 4 Peace 3:57
- 5 For Heaven's Sake 3:34
- 6 The Nearness of You 3:24
- 7 A Blue Time 4:55
- 8 Strollin' 3:18
- 9 For All We Know 3:23
- 10 I'm a Fool to Want You 3:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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