The Window
Cécile McLorin Salvant · 2018
70 min · 17 tracks · jazz
A rich tapestry of jazz and vocal improvisation, blending classic standards with original interpretations infused with emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Visions — Opening with ethereal vocals, this track sets the tone for the album’s introspective journey, blending jazz rhythms with a haunting melody.
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One Step Ahead — This cover of a classic showcases Salvant's ability to convey vulnerability through nuanced phrasing and emotional delivery, making it stand out on the album.
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The Peacocks — Closing the album, this piece encapsulates the essence of longing and beauty in its melodic structure, highlighting Salvant's vocal prowess and storytelling ability.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends standards and originals with strong vocal work, though its cohesion is affected by the number of tracks.
What we noticed
- The arrangement often includes sparse instrumentation, allowing Salvant's voice to be the focal point, particularly in ballads.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- contemplative late-night vibes
- introspective solo reflection
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Upon the release of The Window in 2018, Cécile McLorin Salvant was already established as a prominent voice in contemporary jazz, following her Grammy Award-winning album, For One to Love. This album marked her continued evolution as an artist, showcasing her ability to reinterpret jazz standards while infusing them with personal narrative and modern sensibilities.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Esperanza Spalding· Nina Simone· Jazzmeia Horn
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Ever Since the One I Love’s Been Gone
The moment shifts from reflective solitude to a poignant acknowledgment of love lost, revealing how absence can reshape one's identity.
This shift from introspection to direct confrontation with loss adds layers to the emotional landscape of the song, enhancing its overall impact.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Visions 5:11
- 2 One Step Ahead 2:09
- 3 By Myself 2:34
- 4 The Sweetest Sounds 4:55
- 5 Ever Since the One I Love’s Been Gone 5:53
- 6 À Clef 2:05
- 7 Obsession 3:10
- 8 Wild is Love 3:21
- 9 J’ai l’cafard 3:01
- 10 Somewhere 7:10
- 11 The Gentleman is a Dope 4:29
- 12 Trouble is a Man 3:47
- 13 Were Thine That Special Face 3:19
- 14 I’ve Got Your Number 5:00
- 15 Tell Me Why 3:28
- 16 Everything I’ve Got Belongs to You 1:10
- 17 The Peacocks 9:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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