What makes The Conduct of Jazz by Matthew Shipp notable?

The Conduct of Jazz received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to jazz structure and improvisation, earning recognition from notable publications like DownBeat. It exemplified Shipp's ability to push boundaries within the genre and highlighted his influence on contemporary jazz musicians. By 2015, Matthew Shipp had established himself as a prominent figure in avant-garde jazz, with The Conduct of Jazz being his first album since his collaborative works with various artists. This release followed his previous album, 2014's 'The Gospel According to Matthew', allowing him to further explore the intersections of composition and improvisation.

Who is The Conduct of Jazz for?

The Conduct of Jazz works well if you're into intricate improvisations that surprise, exploratory soundscapes for deep listening and thoughtful pacing encourages reflection.

How many songs are on The Conduct of Jazz?

The Conduct of Jazz has 7 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

The Conduct of Jazz

Matthew Shipp · 2015

49 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A compelling blend of free jazz exploration, intricate piano motifs, and dynamic improvisational interplay among a skilled ensemble.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Conduct of Jazz — This title track serves as a manifesto for Shipp's artistic philosophy, showcasing complex rhythms and collective improvisation that challenge traditional jazz forms.
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Stream of Light — With its ethereal piano lines and shifting dynamics, this track encapsulates the album's exploration of texture and space within jazz improvisation.
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The Bridge Across — As the longest track, it offers an expansive journey through layered harmonies and contrasts, illustrating Shipp's mastery in creating tension and release.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and strong improvisational interplay, marking it as a distinctive work in avant-garde jazz.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational sections where the piano leads while other instruments respond in real-time, creating a dynamic conversation.
Each track varies in length, with some exceeding ten minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes and motifs.
The use of silence and space is prominent, particularly in the transitions between tracks, which enhances the overall tension and release.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 3/10

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

intricate improvisations that surprise
exploratory soundscapes for deep listening
thoughtful pacing encourages reflection
immersive experience through varied textures

Maybe skip if you

seeks straightforward, catchy tunes
prefers predictable song structures

Where this album fits

Career context: By 2015, Matthew Shipp had established himself as a prominent figure in avant-garde jazz, with The Conduct of Jazz being his first album since his collaborative works with various artists. This release followed his previous album, 2014's 'The Gospel According to Matthew', allowing him to further explore the intersections of composition and improvisation.
Stylistic neighbors: William Hooker· Sun Ra· Cecil Taylor