Take Aim (Harold Land album)
Harold Land · 1980
36 min · 6 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of smooth melodies and intricate rhythms, showcasing Harold Land's mastery in modern jazz.
Top tracks — play these first
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Take Aim — The title track exemplifies the album's essence, featuring a compelling interplay between Land's saxophone and the rhythm section that showcases both technical prowess and emotional depth.
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As You Like It — Opening with an engaging melody, this track highlights Land's ability to create lush soundscapes while maintaining a strong sense of groove that invites listener immersion.
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You're My Thrill — This closing piece stands out for its heartfelt balladry and intricate harmonies, capturing the emotional range of the album while demonstrating Land's lyrical approach on the saxophone.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album presents strong compositions with skilled performances, though it lacks broader recognition in jazz history.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of syncopated rhythms across all tracks, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.
- Each track showcases intricate interplay between the instruments, with Land's saxophone often leading while other instruments provide harmonic support.
- The first three tracks maintain a medium tempo, while the last three gradually shift to slower, more contemplative pieces.
- 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
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
- smooth melodies for relaxed evenings
- intricate rhythms that invite focus
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- cascading harmonies that soothe
- vibrant energy for social gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, expansive albums
- want high-energy dance tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1980, Harold Land was a prominent figure in the West Coast jazz scene, having already established himself through collaborations with artists like Max Roach and being part of influential ensembles. 'Take Aim' marked his return to recording after a brief hiatus, allowing him to explore more contemporary sounds while maintaining his distinctive style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Henderson· Wayne Shorter· Sonny Rollins
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 As You Like It 7:15
- 2 Take Aim 3:40
- 3 Land of Peace 6:20
- 4 Reflections 6:41
- 5 Blue Nellie 4:50
- 6 You're My Thrill 8:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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