What makes This Is Buck Hill by Buck Hill notable?

The album received critical acclaim upon its release, contributing to Buck Hill's reputation as an influential figure in jazz. It successfully showcases his distinct style and technical prowess, which resonated within the jazz community, helping to revive interest in straight-ahead jazz during a time when fusion was becoming increasingly popular. This Is Buck Hill marks the debut album for Buck Hill, a talented saxophonist emerging from Washington D.C.'s vibrant jazz scene. By 1978, he had already gained recognition through performances alongside notable musicians, and this release served to establish his presence in the jazz world.

How many songs are on This Is Buck Hill?

This Is Buck Hill has 6 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

This Is Buck Hill

Buck Hill · 1978

48 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of jazz improvisation with intricate melodies and engaging rhythms that showcase Buck Hill's virtuosity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Tokudo — The opening track sets a captivating tone with its complex harmonies and dynamic tempo changes, highlighting Hill's ability to weave intricate melodies throughout.
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I'm Aquarius — This track stands out for its expressive solo that showcases Hill's lyrical playing style, creating an emotional connection through its contemplative melodies.
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Oleo — Hill's interpretation of this classic standard reveals his profound understanding of jazz tradition while infusing it with fresh energy and spontaneity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album highlights Buck Hill's improvisational skills and rhythmic complexity, making it a notable debut in jazz.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of call-and-response between the saxophone and the rhythm section, creating a dynamic interplay throughout.
Each track showcases extended improvisation sections, allowing Buck Hill to explore different melodic ideas and rhythms.
The first three tracks maintain a lively tempo, while the last three gradually introduce more complex harmonies and slower grooves.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
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 Tokudo 9:00
2 Yesterdays 9:33
3 Oleo 5:12
4 I'm Aquarius 6:58
5 S.M.Y. 7:42
6 Two Chord Molly 10:28

What to play next

Listen next

Scope

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jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata