What makes Spaceball by Larry Young notable?

Spaceball is notable for its ambitious blend of jazz with electronic and funk influences, showcasing Young's innovative approach to keyboard instrumentation. The album received critical acclaim for its forward-thinking production, influencing subsequent generations of jazz musicians seeking to expand their sonic palettes. When Spaceball was released in 1976, Larry Young was already an established figure in the jazz world, having made significant contributions to the genre with his earlier works. This album followed his acclaimed releases like 'Unity' (1966) and marked a transition towards more avant-garde elements within his sound, reflecting the evolving landscape of jazz experimentation during the mid-70s.

How many songs are on Spaceball?

Spaceball has 7 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Released 50 years ago

Spaceball

Larry Young · 1976

41 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A cosmic fusion of jazz-funk grooves and experimental soundscapes that invites listeners to traverse uncharted auditory galaxies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Moonwalk — Opening with a hypnotic rhythm, this track perfectly encapsulates the album's cosmic theme while demonstrating Young's masterful use of synthesizers alongside traditional jazz elements.
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Startripper — A standout piece featuring intricate melodies and rhythmic complexity, it showcases Young’s ability to blend improvisation with structured composition seamlessly.
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Message From Mars — This track takes listeners on an expansive journey through its atmospheric soundscapes, highlighting Young’s visionary approach to jazz fusion and storytelling through music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's innovative fusion of jazz and electronic elements showcases Young's unique compositional style.

What we noticed

The album features extended tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for improvisation and exploration of themes.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 2/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Moonwalk 5:00
2 Startripper 4:44
3 Sticky Wicket 9:26
4 Flytime 4:50
5 Spaceball 5:07
6 Message From Mars 7:29
7 I'm Aware of You 5:09

What to play next

Listen next

The Magician

1977

Go back to

Larry Young's Fuel

1975

Full Larry Young discography Artists like Larry Young

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata