Is Some Other Time a good place to start with John Hicks?

Yes, Some Other Time is recommended as a starting point for new John Hicks listeners. A contemplative jazz album weaving intricate melodies and rich harmonies through emotive improvisation. Released in 1981, Some Other Time marked John Hicks' emergence as a prominent voice in the jazz scene following his work with legends like Max Roach. This album followed his collaboration on the acclaimed record, Live at the Village Vanguard, showcasing Hicks' growth as a bandleader and composer.

Who is Some Other Time for?

Some Other Time works well if you're into wave-like pacing with resolution, evocative improvisations for deep listening and rich emotional resonance throughout.

How many songs are on Some Other Time?

Some Other Time has 10 tracks, running approximately 52 minutes.

Some Other Time

John Hicks · 1981

52 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A contemplative jazz album weaving intricate melodies and rich harmonies through emotive improvisation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Naima’s Love Song Start here — This track highlights Hicks' ability to infuse emotional depth into classic standards, showcasing his lyrical touch on the piano while maintaining a deep connection to Coltrane's original spirit.
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Mind Wine — An original composition that exemplifies Hicks’ sophisticated harmonic language and rhythmic inventiveness, creating a meditative atmosphere that captivates listeners.
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Ghost of Yesterday — This track features intricate interplay among musicians, revealing Hicks’ skill in crafting conversational dynamics within ensemble playing, making it a standout piece on the album.
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Darkside Lightside — This composition stands out for its shifting motifs and engaging solos, illustrating Hicks’ talent for blending complex structures with accessible melodies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album blends traditional jazz with contemporary influences, showcasing strong composition and skilled improvisation.

What we noticed

The album features intricate piano melodies that often intertwine with subtle bass lines, creating a rich harmonic texture.
Each track showcases extended improvisation sections, allowing the musicians to explore themes and motifs in depth.
The tempo varies significantly across tracks, with some pieces maintaining a slow, contemplative pace while others introduce more energetic passages.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

wave-like pacing with resolution
evocative improvisations for deep listening
rich emotional resonance throughout
introspective moments for reflection
dynamic exploration of melodies

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album marked Hicks' emergence as a prominent voice in jazz.
Career context: Released in 1981, Some Other Time marked John Hicks' emergence as a prominent voice in the jazz scene following his work with legends like Max Roach. This album followed his collaboration on the acclaimed record, Live at the Village Vanguard, showcasing Hicks' growth as a bandleader and composer.
Stylistic neighbors: McCoy Tyner· Chick Corea· Ahmad Jamal