Is The Shape of Jazz to Come a good place to start with Ornette Coleman?

Yes, The Shape of Jazz to Come is recommended as a starting point for new Ornette Coleman listeners. Innovative melodies intertwine with free-form improvisation, defying traditional jazz conventions and inspiring generations of musicians. When 'The Shape of Jazz to Come' was released in October 1959, Ornette Coleman was emerging as a pivotal voice in avant-garde jazz. This album followed his debut, 'Something Else!!!', and marked a significant shift towards free jazz, showcasing his radical approach to harmony and structure.

Who is The Shape of Jazz to Come for?

The Shape of Jazz to Come works well if you're into steady immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and contemplative mood exploration.

How many songs are on The Shape of Jazz to Come?

The Shape of Jazz to Come has 6 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

The Shape of Jazz to Come

Ornette Coleman · 1959

38 min · 6 tracks · jazz

Innovative melodies intertwine with free-form improvisation, defying traditional jazz conventions and inspiring generations of musicians.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Lonely Woman Start here — This track epitomizes Coleman's innovative style with its haunting melody and emotional depth, representing the essence of his departure from traditional jazz forms.
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Peace — With its extended improvisational sections, this track highlights Coleman's ability to convey complex emotions through minimalist yet powerful musical phrases.
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Congeniality — This piece showcases a blend of rhythmic complexity and melodic exploration, reflecting the album's overall theme of breaking free from musical norms.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

87 /100

Summit

Higher than 100% of albums we've rated

This album's innovative approach to melody and improvisation sets it apart in jazz history.

What we noticed

The album features a non-traditional structure where melodies are often introduced and then freely improvised upon, creating a sense of unpredictability.
Each track typically showcases a different combination of instruments, allowing for varied textures and interactions between musicians.

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

Influence 8/10

Defined its genre or moment. 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

steady immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
contemplative mood exploration

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Coleman's reputation and was pivotal for the free jazz movement.
Career context: When 'The Shape of Jazz to Come' was released in October 1959, Ornette Coleman was emerging as a pivotal voice in avant-garde jazz. This album followed his debut, 'Something Else!!!', and marked a significant shift towards free jazz, showcasing his radical approach to harmony and structure.
Stylistic neighbors: Albert Ayler· John Coltrane· Cecil Taylor