What makes The Newborn Touch by Phineas Newborn Jr. notable?

The Newborn Touch received critical acclaim for its sophisticated compositions and exceptional musicianship, contributing to Newborn's reputation as one of the leading jazz pianists of his time. The album's unique sound and approach influenced subsequent generations of jazz musicians and garnered attention from major publications such as DownBeat and JazzTimes. Released in 1966, The Newborn Touch was Phineas Newborn Jr.'s first album after signing with the Atlantic label. At this point in his career, Newborn had already established himself as a formidable talent in the jazz scene, but this album marked a significant push to reach broader audiences. It showcased his technical prowess and innovative arrangements, solidifying his place among jazz greats.

How many songs are on The Newborn Touch?

The Newborn Touch has 12 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Released 60 years ago

The Newborn Touch

Phineas Newborn Jr. · 1966

44 min · 12 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of intricate piano melodies and dynamic rhythms that showcase Phineas Newborn Jr.'s virtuosic jazz artistry.

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Top tracks — play these first

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A Walkin' Thing — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its complex rhythms and playful interaction between piano and bass, highlighting Newborn's technical mastery.
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The Sermon — An engaging piece where Newborn combines soulful melodies with rhythmic improvisation, showcasing his ability to blend traditional jazz elements with contemporary flair.
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Grooveyard — This track stands out with its infectious groove and intricate syncopation, reflecting Newborn's innovative style that bridges bebop and modern jazz.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album showcases sophisticated compositions and strong musicianship, with varied tempos and intricate arrangements.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate call-and-response patterns between the piano and rhythm section, enhancing the conversational quality of the music.
The first half of the album maintains a lively tempo, while the latter half introduces slower, more contemplative pieces.

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

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 A Walkin' Thing 4:37
2 Double Play 3:59
3 The Sermon 2:40
4 Diane 4:17
5 The Blessing 3:08
6 Grooveyard 3:07
7 Blue Daniel 3:18
8 Hard to Find 4:04
9 Pazmuerte 3:30
10 Be Deedle Dee Do 4:04
11 Good Lil' Man 3:10
12 Be Deedle Dee Do (alternate) 4:50

What to play next

Listen next

Please Send Me Someone to Love

1969

Go back to

A World of Piano!

1962

Full Phineas Newborn Jr. discography Artists like Phineas Newborn Jr.

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata