Is The New One! a good place to start with Buddy Rich?

Yes, The New One! is recommended as a starting point for new Buddy Rich listeners. A vibrant blend of big band jazz and intricate rhythms, showcasing Rich's explosive drumming alongside a tight ensemble. Released in January 1968, The New One! came at a pivotal moment in Buddy Rich's career as he was solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest jazz drummers. Following his successful work with orchestras and previous albums, this record marked Rich's exploration of more contemporary jazz sounds, reflecting the era's musical evolution.

Who is The New One! for?

The New One! works well if you're into dynamic rhythms for active listening, exploratory sessions with varied moods and engaging arrangements that surprise.

How many songs are on The New One!?

The New One! has 16 tracks, running approximately 71 minutes.

The New One!

Buddy Rich · 1968

71 min · 16 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of big band jazz and intricate rhythms, showcasing Rich's explosive drumming alongside a tight ensemble.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Away We Go Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Machine — This track features a driving rhythm and showcases Rich's technical prowess, highlighting the precision and power that define his drumming style.
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The Rotten Kid — With its playful melody and intricate interplay between instruments, this track exemplifies the album's blend of humor and musicianship, presenting Rich's band at their best.
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Diabolus — As one of the longest tracks on the album, it allows Rich to explore extended improvisations, demonstrating his virtuosity and the dynamic range of the ensemble.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Rich's drumming prowess within a vibrant big band context, balancing energy and complexity.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with complex drum patterns, while the second half introduces slower tempos and more intricate arrangements.
Rich's drumming is prominently featured in every track, often taking center stage with extended solos that showcase his technical skill.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response sections between the drums and brass instruments, creating a dynamic interplay that highlights the ensemble's tightness.

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: 5/10

Influence 6/10

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

dynamic rhythms for active listening
exploratory sessions with varied moods
engaging arrangements that surprise
vibrant energy for late-night jams
intricate drumming to appreciate closely

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward, predictable tracks
want instant gratification from songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Solidified Rich's reputation during the big band revival of the late 1960s.
Themes: big band evolution· dynamic rhythms· playful improvisation
Career context: Released in January 1968, The New One! came at a pivotal moment in Buddy Rich's career as he was solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest jazz drummers. Following his successful work with orchestras and previous albums, this record marked Rich's exploration of more contemporary jazz sounds, reflecting the era's musical evolution.
Stylistic neighbors: Gene Krupa· Art Blakey· Elvin Jones