Released 70 years ago
The Art Farmer Septet
Art Farmer · 1956
36 min · 9 tracks · jazz
A sophisticated blend of cool jazz harmonies and intricate arrangements, showcasing the virtuosic talents of a tight-knit ensemble.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mau Mau Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its vibrant rhythms and complex harmonies, illustrating the ensemble's tight interplay and Farmer's expressive trumpet work.
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Evening In Paris — The track captures a romantic ambiance through its lush arrangements and subtle dynamics, highlighting Farmer's lyrical playing style which resonates throughout the piece.
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When Your Lover Has Gone — This poignant ballad features introspective melodies that allow Farmer to showcase his emotional depth, making it a standout moment of vulnerability on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album displays sophisticated arrangements and strong ensemble play, marking a significant step in Farmer's career.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate arrangements with multiple sections, often shifting between themes within a single track.
- Each track showcases the ensemble's tight interplay, with solos that are woven seamlessly into the overall structure rather than standing apart.
- The use of counterpoint is prevalent, particularly in tracks like 'Work of Art' and 'Evening In Paris', creating a rich harmonic texture.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short, engaging listening sessions
- intricate melodic exploration
- vibrant, lively atmospheres
- dynamic improvisational moments
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Farmer's first as a bandleader, establishing his reputation in jazz.
- Themes
- jazz ensemble interplay· romantic ambiance· melodic improvisation
- Career context
- In 1956, Art Farmer was establishing himself as a prominent figure in the jazz scene following his early work with the Horace Silver Quintet. This album, his first as a bandleader, marked a significant step towards artistic independence and showcased his evolving style with an emphasis on melodic improvisation and ensemble interplay.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Clifford Brown· Lee Morgan· Chet Baker
Tracklist
- 1 Mau Mau Start here 5:18
- 2 Work of Art 5:48
- 3 The Little Bandmaster 4:08
- 4 Up In Quincy's Room 4:03
- 5 Wild Wood 2:57
- 6 Evening In Paris 2:43
- 7 Elephant Walk 3:27
- 8 Tiajuana 2:53
- 9 When Your Lover Has Gone 5:12
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Chet Baker Sings
Chet Baker
Shares a romantic ambiance and intricate arrangements with melodic improvisation.
Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
Gerry Mulligan
Features sophisticated interplay and cool jazz harmonies in a tight ensemble setting.
Portrait in Jazz
Bill Evans
Combines melodic improvisation with a refined ensemble sound, emphasizing emotional depth.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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