The Best Is Yet to Come
Grover Washington, Jr. · 1982
40 min · 8 tracks · jazz
Smooth jazz blends with soulful melodies, creating an uplifting atmosphere that invites listeners to embrace optimism and joy.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Best Is Yet to Come — This title track encapsulates the album's optimistic message, featuring lush instrumentation and an engaging melody that showcases Washington's expressive saxophone playing.
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Can You Dig It Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a vibrant tone with its upbeat tempo and catchy hooks, effectively blending jazz with elements of funk.
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Brazilian Memories — This piece highlights Washington's versatility by incorporating Brazilian rhythms and textures, showcasing his ability to fuse different musical traditions seamlessly.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends smooth jazz elements with soulful melodies, creating an uplifting yet familiar sound.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of smooth saxophone melodies layered over soft keyboard and rhythmic guitar backing.
- Each track maintains a mid-tempo groove, with the majority featuring extended instrumental solos that showcase improvisation.
- The title track is positioned second in the sequence, allowing it to serve as a focal point early on, while the final track closes with a gentle fade-out.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- 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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5/10
- 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
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
- uplifting reflections for relaxation
- steady grooves for easy listening
- melodic journey through emotions
- background warmth for social gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Washington's reputation after the success of Winelight.
- Themes
- 1980s optimism· soulful melodies· Brazilian rhythms
- Career context
- Released in 1982, The Best Is Yet to Come was Grover Washington, Jr.'s ninth studio album and marked a significant point in his career following the commercial success of his previous album, Winelight. This release further solidified his reputation as a leading figure in contemporary jazz, showcasing his ability to merge jazz with funk and R&B influences during a peak period of creativity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bob James· David Sanborn· Kenny G
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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The Best Is Yet to Come
The final verse shifts from general affirmations to personal declarations of hope for future joys.
Tracklist
- 1 Can You Dig It Start here 5:20
- 2 The Best Is Yet to Come 6:01
- 3 More Than Meets the Eye 4:30
- 4 Things Are Getting Better 4:19
- 5 Mixty Motions 5:20
- 6 Brazilian Memories 6:10
- 7 I'll Be With You 4:40
- 8 Cassie's Theme (Theme From Cassie & Co.) 3:58
What to play next
Inside Moves
1984
Continues the uplifting vibe with more intricate arrangements and soulful depth.
Winelight
1980
Sets the stage with a similar smooth jazz feel and optimistic themes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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