What makes Starfingers by Sal Salvador notable?

This album is notable for its critical reception, particularly for the track 'Nica's Dream,' which has since become a staple in jazz repertoires. Its blend of styles and technical prowess contributed to Salvador's reputation as a leading figure in modern jazz guitar, influencing both contemporaries and future generations. By 1978, Sal Salvador was well-established in the jazz scene, known for his virtuosic guitar skills and innovative compositions. 'Starfingers' marked a pivotal moment as it was his first album in over a decade, following his previous release in 1967, showcasing his evolution as an artist during a time of significant change in the genre.

How many songs are on Starfingers?

Starfingers has 6 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Starfingers

Sal Salvador · 1978

48 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A rich tapestry of improvisational jazz that seamlessly blends intricate melodies with soulful rhythms and spontaneous bursts of creativity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Nica's Dream — This extended piece demonstrates Salvador's ability to weave complex harmonies and improvisations, becoming a defining work that showcases his unique approach to jazz guitar.
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Darn That Dream — Salvador's interpretation of this classic standard highlights his lyrical playing style, bringing emotional depth while maintaining technical precision.
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Don't Get Around Much Anymore — This track features intricate arrangements and showcases the ensemble's chemistry, exemplifying the album's blend of structured and free-form jazz elements.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong improvisational skills and a cohesive sound, though it may not resonate widely outside jazz circles.

What we noticed

Each track features extended improvisation, with the guitar often taking the lead while the rhythm section provides a fluid backdrop.
The album opens with a well-known standard, 'Nica's Dream,' which sets a sophisticated tone that is maintained throughout.

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: 5/10

Influence 3/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Nica's Dream 12:56
2 Darn That Dream 4:56
3 Sometime Ago 6:34
4 Zone Two 6:42
5 Don't Get Around Much Anymore 6:06
6 Blue Gnu's Blues 11:10

What to play next

Listen next

Juicy Lucy

1979

Go back to

Shades of Sal Salvador

1957

Full Sal Salvador discography Artists like Sal Salvador

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata