The Al Cohn Quintet Featuring Bob Brookmeyer
Bob Brookmeyer · 1957
40 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A vibrant interplay of cool jazz and sophisticated harmonies with playful improvisations that showcase lyrical melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Lady Is a Tramp — This track exemplifies the album's playful spirit through its witty interpretation and engaging call-and-response between the trombone and saxophone, showcasing both musicians' talents.
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Good Spirits — With its lively tempo and upbeat energy, this track captures the essence of the quintet's dynamic interaction, allowing each musician to shine through their improvisational skills.
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A Blues Serenade — This piece highlights Brookmeyer's ability to blend traditional blues elements with modern jazz sensibilities, creating a rich emotional landscape that stands out on the album.
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Ill Wind — An introspective ballad that showcases haunting melodies and deep emotional expression, illustrating Brookmeyer's skill in arranging poignant moments within his compositions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong compositions and skilled performances, contributing to its standing in the cool jazz genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent interplay between the valve trombone and tenor saxophone, often trading melodic lines in a call-and-response fashion.
- Several tracks utilize extended improvisation sections, allowing each musician to showcase their individual style while maintaining cohesive group dynamics.
- The arrangement of 'Chloe' includes a notable shift in tempo and mood, contrasting with the more upbeat tracks that precede it.
- 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
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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- sophisticated background ambiance
- playful improvisational moments
- short, engaging listening sessions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1957, this album marks an important collaboration between Bob Brookmeyer and Al Cohn during the height of the cool jazz movement. At this point in his career, Brookmeyer was establishing himself as a prominent valve trombonist and composer, having previously contributed to influential recordings with artists like Gerry Mulligan. The album represents a significant moment in his evolution as a bandleader while highlighting Cohn's melodic saxophone work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Gerry Mulligan· Thad Jones· Bob Mintzer
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Lady Is a Tramp 3:25
- 2 Good Spirits 3:37
- 3 A Blues Serenade 4:23
- 4 Lazy Man Stomp 2:56
- 5 Ill Wind 2:50
- 6 Chloe 3:38
- 7 S-H-I-N-E 3:45
- 8 Back to Back 2:37
- 9 So Far So Good 3:50
- 10 Winter 3:54
- 11 I Should Care 2:41
- 12 Bunny Hunch 2:39
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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