United Front: Brass Ecstasy at Newport
Dave Douglas · 2011
45 min · 6 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of brass textures and improvisational jazz that celebrates creativity and collaboration.
Top tracks — play these first
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Spirit Moves Start here — Opening with a powerful ensemble sound, this track sets the tone for the album's blend of tradition and avant-garde elements. Its intricate interplay showcases Douglas's compositional skill.
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I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry — This rendition transforms a country classic into a poignant jazz exploration, highlighting emotional depth through lush harmonies and expressive solos.
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Bowie — Closing the album, this track is an expansive tribute that demonstrates the full range of the ensemble's capabilities, melding complex rhythms with lyrical melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong brass arrangements and improvisation, making it a notable entry in modern jazz.
What we noticed
- The album features extensive improvisation, with each track allowing soloists to explore themes while the ensemble maintains a dynamic backdrop.
- Brass instruments dominate the sound palette, with layered textures created through harmonized lines and call-and-response patterns.
- Each of the six tracks varies in length and intensity, with some building to climactic moments before tapering off into quieter passages.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- dynamic peaks and valleys
- improvisational bursts of energy
- reflective moments of solitude
- vibrant brass textures unfolding
- engaging storytelling through sound
Maybe skip if you
- prefer predictable song structures
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Themes
- Newport Jazz Festival· brass improvisation· collaborative creativity
- Career context
- In 2011, Dave Douglas was already an established figure in the jazz scene, known for his innovative approach and collaborations. 'United Front: Brass Ecstasy at Newport' followed his previous album, 'Spark of Being,' and showcased his commitment to pushing musical boundaries with a large ensemble performance at the Newport Jazz Festival.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chris Potter· Avishai Cohen· Maria Schneider
Tracklist
- 1 Spirit Moves Start here 5:04
- 2 Rava 10:06
- 3 Fats 3:36
- 4 I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry 7:32
- 5 United Front 6:19
- 6 Bowie 12:28
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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