What makes This Time the Dream's on Me by Larry Willis notable?

The album received critical acclaim for its sophisticated arrangements and emotional depth, highlighting Willis's ability to blend traditional jazz with contemporary elements. It was praised in publications like DownBeat and All About Jazz, solidifying his position within the modern jazz landscape after years of influential yet under-the-radar contributions. This Time the Dream's on Me is Larry Willis's first album in nearly a decade, following a long career as a prominent jazz pianist. By this release in 2012, Willis had established himself as a versatile musician through collaborations with legends like McCoy Tyner and Art Blakey, but this album marked his return to the forefront of jazz performance and composition.

How many songs are on This Time the Dream's on Me?

This Time the Dream's on Me has 10 tracks, running approximately 61 minutes.

This Time the Dream's on Me

Larry Willis · 2012

61 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A lush tapestry of jazz harmonies interwoven with Afro-Cuban rhythms, showcasing emotive piano melodies and intricate improvisation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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This Time the Dream’s on Me — This title track serves as an introspective exploration of dreams and aspirations, featuring a delicate piano arrangement that sets the tone for the entire album.
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Sanctuary — With its serene melodies and complex harmonies, this track showcases Willis's mastery of blending Afro-Cuban influences into his jazz compositions.
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Blues for Marco — This piece stands out for its poignant emotionality, effectively utilizing blues motifs while allowing space for expressive improvisation from the ensemble.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

The album showcases sophisticated compositions and distinct rhythmic blends, making it a notable entry in contemporary jazz.

What we noticed

The album features intricate piano melodies that often lead into extended improvisational sections, allowing for a fluid exploration of themes.
Afro-Cuban rhythms are consistently integrated into the arrangements, creating a dynamic interplay between the piano and percussion.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 This Time the Dream’s on Me 5:49
2 Sanctuary 7:27
3 True Love 6:17
4 Lazy Afternoon 7:21
5 A Single Petal of a Rose 4:47
6 Blues for Marco 5:27
7 It Could Happen to You 7:07
8 Lotus Blossom 3:11
9 Silly Blues 5:14
10 My Ship 8:59

What to play next

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Go back to

The Offering

2008

Full Larry Willis discography Artists like Larry Willis

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