What makes Time Being by Peter Erskine notable?

Time Being was well-received by critics, earning praise for its innovative compositions and cohesive band interplay. The album is noted for its exploration of diverse musical influences, contributing to Erskine's reputation within the jazz community and influencing subsequent artists looking to blend jazz with other genres. Released in 1994, Time Being marked Peter Erskine's evolution as a jazz artist following his tenure with prominent groups like Weather Report. This album came after his acclaimed work on the album You Never Know in 1991, further establishing him as a leading voice in contemporary jazz.

Who is Time Being for?

Time Being works well if you're into introspective moments of serenity, subtle rhythms for focused listening and patient explorations that unfold gradually.

How many songs are on Time Being?

Time Being has 11 tracks, running approximately 64 minutes.

Time Being

Peter Erskine · 1994

64 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A fluid blend of intricate melodies and rhythmic improvisation that showcases Erskine's masterful drumming and compositional skills.

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Top tracks — play these first

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For The Time Being — This track stands out for its contemplative atmosphere, featuring a delicate balance between Erskine's percussive nuances and lush harmonic support from the ensemble.
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Evansong — Evansong highlights Erskine's ability to weave intricate rhythms with melodic lines, creating an immersive listening experience that showcases the group's chemistry.
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Bulgaria — This piece incorporates Eastern European motifs into its structure, demonstrating Erskine's versatility and willingness to explore various cultural influences within jazz.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album blends intricate melodies with improvisation, showcasing Erskine's skills while maintaining a cohesive sound.

What we noticed

Each track showcases extended improvisation sections where the musicians engage in call-and-response patterns.
Several pieces incorporate diverse influences, such as Eastern European motifs and modern jazz harmonies, which enrich the overall sound.

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: 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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

introspective moments of serenity
subtle rhythms for focused listening
patient explorations that unfold gradually
thoughtful soundscapes for contemplation

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer upbeat, energetic tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1994, Time Being marked Peter Erskine's evolution as a jazz artist following his tenure with prominent groups like Weather Report. This album came after his acclaimed work on the album You Never Know in 1991, further establishing him as a leading voice in contemporary jazz.
Stylistic neighbors: Bill Stewart· Brian Blade· Jack DeJohnette

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Terraces 7:12
2 For The Time Being 5:13
3 If Only I Had Known 6:06
4 Evansong 8:07
5 Page 172 6:02
6 Liten Visa Till Karim 4:58
7 Bulgaria 4:48
8 Ambleside 6:37
9 Phrase One 5:20
10 Palle's Headache 5:27
11 Pieds-en-l'air 4:39

What to play next

Listen next

History of the Drum

1995

Go back to

You Never Know

1993

Full Peter Erskine discography Artists like Peter Erskine

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata