This Is Our Music
Ornette Coleman · 1961
38 min · 7 tracks · jazz
A vibrant tapestry of free jazz that marries dissonance with lyrical improvisation, showcasing Ornette Coleman's innovative approach to melody and form.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blues Connotation Start here — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its complex harmonies and intricate rhythms, exemplifying Coleman's ability to blend blues elements within a free jazz framework.
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Beauty Is a Rare Thing — This track features a haunting theme that showcases Coleman's lyrical improvisation alongside poignant ensemble interplay, highlighting the emotional depth of his compositions.
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Folk Tale — In Folk Tale, Coleman combines storytelling with abstract musical exploration, creating an engaging narrative journey that reflects his unique perspective on American music traditions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalColeman's innovative approach to melody and improvisation marks this as a significant work in free jazz.
What we noticed
- Tracks like 'Blues Connotation' and 'Folk Tale' utilize collective improvisation, where musicians interact dynamically rather than following a strict arrangement.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- thoughtful and reflective moments
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Coleman's status and expanded his recognition in jazz.
- Career context
- Released in 1961, This Is Our Music is Ornette Coleman's fourth studio album and follows the critically acclaimed shape of his previous work, including The Shape of Jazz to Come. At this point, Coleman had established himself as a leading figure in the avant-garde jazz movement, pushing boundaries and redefining musical expectations.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Albert Ayler· John Coltrane· Cecil Taylor
Tracklist
- 1 Blues Connotation Start here 5:17
- 2 Beauty Is a Rare Thing 7:13
- 3 Kaleidoscope 6:36
- 4 Embraceable You 4:54
- 5 Poise 4:40
- 6 Humpty Dumpty 5:23
- 7 Folk Tale 4:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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