Is Speak of the Devil a good place to start with John Abercrombie?

Yes, Speak of the Devil is recommended as a starting point for new John Abercrombie listeners. A seamless blend of intricate guitar work and rich harmonies that defines contemporary jazz's expansive landscape. Released in 1994, 'Speak of the Devil' is John Abercrombie's twelfth studio album, following his acclaimed release 'Cat 'n' Mouse' from 1992. By this time, Abercrombie had firmly established himself as a significant figure in the jazz fusion genre, showcasing his unique guitar style and compositional skills. The album reflects his ongoing evolution as an artist, incorporating diverse influences while maintaining a cohesive sound.

Who is Speak of the Devil for?

Speak of the Devil works well if you're into steady pacing for focused listening, intricate melodies inviting contemplation and gradual build with satisfying resolutions.

How many songs are on Speak of the Devil?

Speak of the Devil has 9 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Speak of the Devil

John Abercrombie · 1994

68 min · 9 tracks · jazz fusion

A seamless blend of intricate guitar work and rich harmonies that defines contemporary jazz's expansive landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Angel Food Start here — This opening track features dynamic interplay between guitar and keyboards, setting the tone for the album's blend of improvisation and structured composition.
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Chorale — The piece stands out for its haunting melody and harmonic richness, highlighting Abercrombie's lyrical playing style and emotional depth.
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Hell's Gate — This track showcases an intense dialogue between instruments, demonstrating Abercrombie's mastery of tension and release within jazz fusion contexts.

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 showcases strong compositions and skilled execution, creating a cohesive listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of layered guitar harmonies, with Abercrombie often playing intricate melodies over rhythmic backing.
Each track maintains a moderate tempo, with only slight variations that create a cohesive flow throughout the record.
Several tracks incorporate extended improvisational sections, allowing for dynamic shifts in mood and intensity.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for focused listening
intricate melodies inviting contemplation
gradual build with satisfying resolutions
atmospheric improvisation for introspection
for late-night solitude

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer upbeat party tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album contributed to Abercrombie's growing reputation as an innovative guitarist.
Themes: guitar dialogues· emotional depth· improvisational interplay
Career context: Released in 1994, 'Speak of the Devil' is John Abercrombie's twelfth studio album, following his acclaimed release 'Cat 'n' Mouse' from 1992. By this time, Abercrombie had firmly established himself as a significant figure in the jazz fusion genre, showcasing his unique guitar style and compositional skills. The album reflects his ongoing evolution as an artist, incorporating diverse influences while maintaining a cohesive sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Pat Metheny· Bill Frisell· Larry Coryell