What makes Taylor's Wailers by Art Taylor notable?

Taylor's Wailers is significant for its role in defining the sound of hard bop during the late 1950s and features notable tracks that have been influential in subsequent jazz styles. The album was well-received by critics, contributing to Art Taylor's reputation and earning recognition for its innovative compositions and arrangements. Released in 1957, Taylor's Wailers marked Art Taylor's debut as a bandleader after years as a sought-after drummer in the jazz scene. At this point in his career, he had collaborated with prominent artists like John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner, establishing himself within the hard bop movement.

How many songs are on Taylor's Wailers?

Taylor's Wailers has 6 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Taylor's Wailers

Art Taylor · 1957

40 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of hard bop rhythms and intricate improvisations, showcasing a powerful ensemble dynamic.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Batland — The opening track sets a high bar with its intricate percussion work and collective improvisation, showcasing the ensemble's synergy right from the start.
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Cubano Chant — This track stands out with its infectious Latin rhythms and engaging call-and-response sections, illustrating the band's versatility and deep groove.
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Off Minor — A reinterpretation of Thelonious Monk's classic, this track highlights intricate melodies and clever rhythmic shifts that reflect the group's creativity and skill.

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 compositions and skilled performances, establishing its place in the hard bop genre.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of call-and-response patterns between the horns and rhythm section, creating a dynamic interplay throughout.
Each track is built around a central theme that allows for extended improvisation, with solos often exceeding two minutes.
The tempo varies significantly across tracks, with 'Cubano Chant' incorporating Latin rhythms while 'Off Minor' returns to a more traditional hard bop feel.

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: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Batland 9:48
2 C. T. A. 4:44
3 Exhibit A 6:13
4 Cubano Chant 6:32
5 Off Minor 5:35
6 Well You Needn't 7:54

What to play next

Listen next

Taylor's Tenors

1959

Full Art Taylor discography Artists like Art Taylor

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata