What makes Symphonic Tone Poem for Brother Yusef by Bennie Maupin notable?

The album has been praised for its innovative approach to blending jazz with orchestral elements, receiving critical acclaim from publications like JazzTimes and DownBeat. It stands out in the contemporary jazz landscape for its ambitious structure and thematic homage to Yusef Lateef, reflecting Maupin's influence on modern jazz improvisation. Released on January 1, 2022, 'Symphonic Tone Poem for Brother Yusef' is Bennie Maupin's latest work following a long and influential career as a multi-instrumentalist. By this time, Maupin had established himself as a key figure in the jazz scene, known for his collaborations with artists like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock in the 1970s, making this album a significant addition to his discography that showcases his enduring creativity.

How many songs are on Symphonic Tone Poem for Brother Yusef?

Symphonic Tone Poem for Brother Yusef has 5 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Symphonic Tone Poem for Brother Yusef

Bennie Maupin · 2022

41 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A mesmerizing blend of fluid improvisation and structured orchestration, channeling deep spiritual and musical conversations.

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Top tracks — play these first

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First Movement — The opening piece establishes the album's rich sonic palette, setting a tone of exploration through intricate melodies and harmonies.
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Second Movement — This track features a dynamic interplay between soloists and the orchestra, illustrating Maupin's mastery in blending improvisation with classical influences.
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Third Movement — With its reflective mood and evolving motifs, this movement captures the essence of the album's tribute, showcasing emotional depth alongside technical prowess.

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 showcases strong thematic composition and cohesive orchestration, making it a notable entry in contemporary jazz.

What we noticed

Each of the five movements features a distinct thematic development, with varying instrumentation and dynamics that create a narrative arc.
Improvisational sections are interspersed within structured passages, allowing for spontaneous musical conversations that evolve over the course of each movement.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
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.

Tracklist

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

1 First Movement 8:53
2 Second Movement 6:49
3 Third Movement 9:07
4 Fourth Movement 8:58
5 Fifth Movement 7:33

What to play next

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Moonscapes

1978

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