Soul Time cover

Soul Time

Bobby Timmons · 1960

41 min · 7 tracks · jazz

Soulful jazz piano intertwines with rhythmic grooves, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the album.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Soul Time — The title track encapsulates Timmons' signature style, blending infectious rhythms with lyrical melodies that exemplify his ability to evoke deep emotion through jazz.
  • →
    You Don't Know What Love Is — This track showcases Timmons' expressive playing and interpretation of a classic ballad, highlighting his ability to merge soulful expression with technical finesse.
  • →
    S'posin' — With its playful rhythm and inventive harmonies, this track illustrates Timmons' knack for crafting engaging arrangements that keep listeners captivated from start to finish.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Timmons' emotive piano and rhythmic grooves create a warm atmosphere, making it a solid jazz album.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of syncopated rhythms that drive the groove, particularly in tracks like 'Soul Time' and 'S'posin'.
  • Each track showcases Timmons' piano work prominently, often accompanied by a small ensemble that emphasizes interplay rather than soloing.
  • The tempo varies slightly across the seven tracks, but most maintain a relaxed, soulful feel that invites repeated listening.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

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

  • late-night contemplative moods
  • steady, consistent energy levels
  • long, immersive listening sessions
  • dynamic emotional journeys

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1960, 'Soul Time' marked Bobby Timmons' first album as a bandleader after gaining recognition for his work with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. This release followed Timmons' breakthrough period, showcasing his distinctive style that combined gospel influences with hard bop elements.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Soul Time 6:24
  • 2 So Tired 6:20
  • 3 The Touch of Your Lips 4:16
  • 4 S'posin' 5:14
  • 5 Stella B. 5:54
  • 6 You Don't Know What Love Is 6:16
  • 7 One Mo' 6:53

What to play next

Easy Does It
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This Here Is Bobby Timmons

1960
Full Bobby Timmons discography Artists like Bobby Timmons
jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata