Released 20 years ago
The Ultimate Adventure
Chick Corea · 2006
73 min · 19 tracks · jazz
A vibrant tapestry of avant-garde jazz, blending intricate melodies with dynamic improvisation and eclectic rhythms.
Top tracks — play these first
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Three Ghouls, Part 2 Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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City of Brass — This track stands out with its rich textures and complex arrangements, encapsulating the album's adventurous spirit while showcasing Corea's virtuosic piano work.
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North Africa — With its rhythmic intricacies and exotic motifs, this piece exemplifies Corea's ability to blend cultural influences seamlessly into a cohesive musical narrative.
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Planes of Existence, Part 1 — This track features a captivating dialogue between instruments that reflects both the philosophical undertones of the album and Corea's improvisational prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases intricate compositions and dynamic improvisation, making it a notable entry in Corea's discography.
What we noticed
- Improvisation plays a significant role, with musicians often taking extended solos that contribute to the overall thematic development of the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- sprawling imaginative musical journey
- wave-like pacing with surprises
- dynamic exploration of soundscapes
- engaging narrative through tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Ambitious structure and diverse influences mark a high point in Corea's artistic journey.
- Themes
- City of Brass· North African rhythms· philosophical dialogue
- Career context
- Released in 2006, The Ultimate Adventure marks Chick Corea's exploration of thematic storytelling through music, following his successful period in the '70s and '80s. By this time, he had established himself as a key figure in jazz, continually evolving his style and sound. This album showcases Corea's passion for blending various influences while incorporating narrative elements into his compositions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Herbie Hancock· Keith Jarrett· McCoy Tyner
Tracklist
- 1 Three Ghouls, Part 1 1:38
- 2 Three Ghouls, Part 2 Start here 4:02
- 3 Three Ghouls, Part 3 3:11
- 4 City of Brass 6:38
- 5 Queen Tedmur 5:15
- 6 El Stephen, Part 1 6:39
- 7 El Stephen, Part 2 1:47
- 8 King & Queen 6:06
- 9 Moseb the Executioner, Part 1 1:39
- 10 Moseb the Executioner, Part 2 2:20
- 11 Moseb the Executioner, Part 3 1:54
- 12 North Africa 6:24
- 13 Flight From Karoof, Part 1 6:11
- 14 Flight From Karoof, Part 2 1:36
- 15 Planes of Existence, Part 1 5:25
- 16 Arabian Nights, Part 1 4:30
- 17 Arabian Nights, Part 2 2:38
- 18 Gods & Devils 2:15
- 19 Planes of Existence, Part 2 2:52
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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