What makes Una Mas by Kenny Dorham notable?

Una Mas is significant not only for its smooth fusion of jazz and Latin rhythms but also for its critical reception, which highlighted it as a major influence on the development of modern jazz. The album has been praised in various publications, including DownBeat, and continues to be regarded as a classic within the hard bop genre. Released in 1964, Una Mas was Kenny Dorham's first album after joining the legendary Blue Note label. At this point in his career, Dorham was already an established figure in jazz, known for his work with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, yet he sought to refine his unique voice as a bandleader.

How many songs are on Una Mas?

Una Mas has 4 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Una Mas

Kenny Dorham · 1964

36 min · 4 tracks · jazz

A vibrant tapestry of intricate melodies and rhythmic improvisation, blending hard bop with Latin influences.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Una más (One More Time) — The title track stands out with its extended form and rich harmonic structure, showcasing Dorham's lyrical trumpet style interwoven with complex rhythms that invite improvisation.
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Straight Ahead — This track exemplifies Dorham's ability to balance melodic lines with bold improvisation, delivering a powerful performance that highlights the album's energetic essence.
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Sao Paulo — With its infectious groove and playful melody, this piece reflects the vibrant cultural influences that shape Dorham's sound, making it a standout moment on the album.

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 rhythmic improvisation, showcasing a strong compositional voice.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of syncopated rhythms throughout, particularly in the first track, which sets a lively tone.
Each track showcases intricate melodic lines that often intertwine, highlighting the interplay between the trumpet and piano.
The final track introduces a slower tempo and more reflective mood, contrasting with the energetic opening pieces.

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 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 Una más (One More Time) 15:19
2 Straight Ahead 8:59
3 Sao Paulo 7:19
4 If Ever I Would Leave You 5:07

What to play next

Listen next

Trompeta Toccata

1965

Go back to

Matador

1962

Full Kenny Dorham discography Artists like Kenny Dorham

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata