What makes That's the Way It Is by Ray Brown notable?

That's the Way It Is is significant for its seamless integration of traditional jazz elements with fresh improvisational approaches, contributing to the evolution of jazz in the early 1970s. The album received critical acclaim, further solidifying Brown's reputation in the jazz community and influencing emerging musicians who sought to blend classical techniques with modern jazz. In 1970, Ray Brown was firmly established as a prominent figure in jazz, having already gained recognition through collaborations with notable artists like Oscar Peterson. This album followed his work with the Ray Brown Trio and showcased his growth as a bandleader while continuing to refine his signature blend of bebop and hard bop styles.

Who is That's the Way It Is for?

That's the Way It Is works well if you're into smooth transitions between tracks, rainy day reflective moods and intimate evening listening experience.

How many songs are on That's the Way It Is?

That's the Way It Is has 6 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

That's the Way It Is

Ray Brown · 1970

42 min · 6 tracks · classical music

Smooth jazz harmonies intertwine with emotive improvisation, creating a reflective soundscape that captures the essence of early 70s jazz.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Here's That Rainy Day — This track stands out due to its melancholic melody paired with intricate harmonic progressions, showcasing Brown's deep emotional expression and technical prowess.
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Tenderly — The rendition of this classic ballad highlights Brown's ability to convey tenderness through lush bass lines and fluid improvisation, encapsulating the album's overall mood.
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Blues in the Bassment — Its title captures the essence of an intimate performance setting, where Brown's rhythmic playfulness shines amidst soulful blues interpretations and collective synergy with fellow musicians.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

The album's seamless flow and emotive improvisation create a reflective jazz experience characteristic of its era.

What we noticed

The instrumentation primarily includes bass, piano, and subtle percussion, allowing for a warm, enveloping sound that highlights the emotive quality of the performances.

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: 9/10

Influence 4/10

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

smooth transitions between tracks
rainy day reflective moods
intimate evening listening experience
intricate rhythms for attentive ears

Maybe skip if you

seeking upbeat dance tracks
prefer short, standalone songs

Where this album fits

Career context: In 1970, Ray Brown was firmly established as a prominent figure in jazz, having already gained recognition through collaborations with notable artists like Oscar Peterson. This album followed his work with the Ray Brown Trio and showcased his growth as a bandleader while continuing to refine his signature blend of bebop and hard bop styles.
Stylistic neighbors: Oscar Peterson· Jimmy Blanton· Charles Mingus