Straight Up
Eric Alexander · 1992
64 min · 8 tracks · jazz
A warm blend of smooth melodies and intricate improvisations, showcasing a rich tapestry of jazz influences.
Top tracks — play these first
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Straight Up — The title track exemplifies Alexander's mastery of tone and rhythm, combining heartfelt emotion with complex improvisational passages that set the tone for the entire album.
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What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? — This track features a hauntingly beautiful melody complemented by lush harmonies, showcasing Alexander's ability to convey deep emotion through his saxophone.
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Blues Waltz — An innovative fusion of waltz rhythms with bluesy undertones, this track highlights Alexander's versatility and creativity as a composer and performer.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album effectively blends smooth melodies with intricate improvisations, establishing a solid foundation for Alexander's career.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of saxophone melodies that are often accompanied by piano and bass, creating a rich harmonic backdrop.
- Each track showcases extended improvisation sections, allowing the musicians to explore themes in depth.
- The tempo varies across tracks, with several pieces adopting a slow to mid-tempo feel, contributing to the overall smoothness of the record.
- 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
- sophisticated evening listening experience
- intimate moments of reflection
- slow-burning emotional explorations
- subtle melodies for deep focus
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat party atmospheres
- seek quick, catchy tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1992, Straight Up is Eric Alexander's debut album, introducing the saxophonist to the jazz scene. At this point, he was a rising star, noted for his technical prowess and emotive playing. This album laid the foundation for his career, establishing his signature sound and musical identity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joshua Redman· Joe Lovano· Chris Potter
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Straight Up 8:24
- 2 What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? 8:25
- 3 Be My Love 7:49
- 4 Blues Waltz 8:05
- 5 Laura 8:02
- 6 An Oscar for Treadwell 7:21
- 7 The End of a Love Affair 8:08
- 8 Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 7:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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