The Vigil cover

The Vigil

Chick Corea · 2013

77 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A cosmic journey through intricate melodies and improvisational interplay, blending avant-garde jazz with spiritual undertones.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Galaxy 32 Star 4 Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its expansive soundscape and intricate rhythms, showcasing Corea's mastery of improvisation.
  • →
    Pledge for Peace — With its lengthy structure and meditative quality, this track embodies the spiritual essence of the album, inviting deep listening and reflection.
  • →
    Legacy — Closing the album, this track encapsulates Corea's journey through music with poignant solos that reflect on his prolific career and artistic identity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
70 /100
Alpine
Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate melodies and strong improvisation, making it a notable entry in Corea's discography.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended improvisational sections where musicians engage in call-and-response patterns, creating a dynamic interplay.
  • Each track is structured around intricate melodies that often shift unexpectedly, maintaining listener engagement throughout.
  • The use of varied instrumentation, including piano, bass, and percussion, adds layers of texture and depth to the compositions.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

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

  • cosmic soundscapes for exploration
  • gradual builds towards resolution
  • immersive journeys through improvisation
  • thoughtful reflections in solitude

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking quick, instant gratification
  • prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Shows Corea's continued innovation and relevance in jazz during his later years.
Themes
cosmic improvisation· spiritual exploration· musical legacy
Career context
By 2013, Chick Corea was a veteran of the jazz scene, celebrated for his innovative contributions. 'The Vigil' was released as part of his expansive discography, following his 2010 album 'Forever.' This record continued to showcase his artistic evolution and dedication to pushing the boundaries of jazz.
Stylistic neighbors
Herbie Hancock· Keith Jarrett· McCoy Tyner

Tracklist

  • 1 Galaxy 32 Star 4 Start here 8:20
  • 2 Planet Chia 11:07
  • 3 Portals to Forever 16:04
  • 4 Royalty 9:19
  • 5 Outside of Space 5:00
  • 6 Pledge for Peace 17:36
  • 7 Legacy 9:54

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata