Something in Common
Houston Person · 1990
51 min · 8 tracks · jazz
A soulful blend of smooth jazz and heartfelt improvisation, showcasing rich melodies and intricate rhythms.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blue Seven Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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I Thought About You — This track stands out due to its beautiful interpretation of a classic standard, featuring Person's warm tone and expressive phrasing that captures the essence of longing.
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Mack the Knife — Person's rendition of this iconic piece showcases his ability to inject fresh energy into a well-known tune while maintaining its playful spirit through dynamic improvisation.
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Good Morning Heartache — The emotional weight of this track is palpable as Person's saxophone weaves through the mournful lyrics, embodying the pain of heartache with poignant grace.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends standards and originals with strong improvisation, showcasing solid craftsmanship and cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of tenor saxophone as the lead instrument, with Ron Carter's bass providing a steady rhythmic foundation throughout.
- Each track maintains a moderate tempo, allowing for extended improvisation sections that showcase the musicians' interplay.
- Several tracks incorporate traditional jazz standards alongside original compositions, blending familiar melodies with fresh interpretations.
- 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
- steady mid-tempo groove
- soulful melodies for relaxation
- intricate improvisations to savor
- for evening unwind
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album contributed to the resurgence of interest in jazz in the late '80s and early '90s.
- Themes
- smooth jazz intimacy· heartbreak melodies
- Career context
- Released in 1990, 'Something in Common' marks a significant collaboration between Houston Person and bassist Ron Carter during a prolific period for both artists. At this point, Person had established himself as an influential tenor saxophonist in the jazz scene, further solidifying his reputation with this album.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Grant Green· Jimmy Smith· Charles Earland
Tracklist
- 1 Blue Seven Start here 7:07
- 2 I Thought About You 6:02
- 3 Mack the Knife 8:42
- 4 Joy Spring 6:22
- 5 Good Morning Heartache 5:37
- 6 Anthropology 5:57
- 7 Once in a While 3:48
- 8 Blues for Two 7:26
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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