What makes Too Much Sugar for a Dime by Henry Threadgill notable?

Too Much Sugar for a Dime received critical acclaim upon release, with notable reviews highlighting its innovative sound and complexity. The album further solidified Threadgill's reputation in the jazz community, influencing subsequent generations of musicians exploring the boundaries of jazz and improvisation. By 1993, Henry Threadgill had established himself as a pioneering force in avant-garde jazz, with Too Much Sugar for a Dime marking his first album after winning the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship. This release followed his critically acclaimed albums, showcasing his unique compositional style and innovative approach to instrumentation.

How many songs are on Too Much Sugar for a Dime?

Too Much Sugar for a Dime has 6 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Too Much Sugar for a Dime

Henry Threadgill · 1993

53 min · 6 tracks · jazz

Exploratory jazz intertwines intricate rhythms and unconventional melodies, creating a dense and vibrant sonic tapestry.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Little Pocket Size Demons — This track exemplifies Threadgill's complex arrangements, featuring an interplay of contrasting rhythms that challenge conventional jazz forms while maintaining an engaging melodic structure.
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Better Wrapped/Better Unwrapped — The lengthy composition showcases Threadgill's mastery of tension and release, blending intricate melodies with spontaneous improvisation that embodies the essence of avant-garde jazz.
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Try Some Ammonia — This track highlights Threadgill's distinctive use of orchestration, employing unique instrumental combinations that create a rich auditory landscape filled with surprises and shifts.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate rhythms and unconventional melodies create a unique listening experience that rewards exploration.

What we noticed

Each track often layers multiple melodic lines, with instruments weaving in and out rather than following a traditional lead-and-accompaniment structure.
The use of silence and space is prominent, with several moments where the music drops to near silence before building back up, enhancing tension.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 Little Pocket Size Demons 10:48
2 In Touch 8:48
3 Paper Toilet 5:38
4 Better Wrapped/Better Unwrapped 13:04
5 Too Much Sugar 2:59
6 Try Some Ammonia 12:22

What to play next

Listen next

Song Out of My Trees

1994

Go back to

Spirit of Nuff...Nuff

1991

Full Henry Threadgill discography Artists like Henry Threadgill

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