What makes Structurally Sound by Booker Ervin notable?

Structurally Sound is celebrated for its innovative arrangements and has been recognized for influencing subsequent generations of jazz musicians. The album received positive reviews upon release, and tracks like Stolen Moments have become staples in jazz repertoire, showcasing Ervin's ability to blend complex harmonies with accessible melodies. Released in January 1967, Structurally Sound marked Booker Ervin's fourth album as a leader. At this point in his career, he was establishing himself as a prominent voice in jazz following his work with influential figures like Charles Mingus and the Jazz Messengers. This album came after his previous release, The Space Book (1966), further solidifying his reputation within the hard-bop genre.

How many songs are on Structurally Sound?

Structurally Sound has 12 tracks, running approximately 61 minutes.

Structurally Sound

Booker Ervin · 1967

61 min · 12 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of hard-bop and balladry, showcasing Ervin's dynamic saxophone prowess over intricate rhythmic landscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Stolen Moments — This track stands out for its haunting melody and intricate interplay between instruments, demonstrating Ervin's emotive playing style and compositional skill.
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Boo's Blues — Featuring a groovy rhythm and compelling call-and-response sections, this track highlights Ervin's ability to merge traditional blues elements with modern jazz sensibilities.
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Take The A Train — An iconic standard given fresh energy through Ervin’s improvisation, showcasing his technical mastery while paying homage to jazz tradition.

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 compositions and skilled performances but has some uneven pacing.

What we noticed

Ervin's saxophone leads most tracks, often accompanied by intricate piano and bass lines that create a rich harmonic backdrop.
Several tracks incorporate unexpected tempo changes, particularly in transitions, which adds to the dynamic feel of the album.

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 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Boo's Blues

The saxophone shifts from smooth melodic lines to sharp, punctuated bursts that evoke a lively conversation among musicians.

This dynamic shift emphasizes the spontaneity of live jazz performance, allowing Ervin's personality to shine through in a way that elevates the improvisational spirit.

Tracklist

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

1 Berkshire Blues 5:33
2 Dancing In The Dark 5:01
3 Stolen Moments 5:01
4 Franess 5:10
5 Boo's Blues 5:36
6 You're My Everything 4:49
7 Deep Night 5:00
8 Take The A Train 3:46
9 Shiny Stockings 4:50
10 White Christmas 4:31
11 Franess (Alternate Take) 5:15
12 Deep Night 7:18

What to play next

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Go back to

Booker 'n' Brass

1967

Full Booker Ervin discography Artists like Booker Ervin

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata