Is Up and Coming a good place to start with John Abercrombie?

Yes, Up and Coming is recommended as a starting point for new John Abercrombie listeners. A contemplative blend of smooth melodies and intricate improvisations, showcasing Abercrombie's distinctive guitar work in contemporary jazz. Released in 2013, Up and Coming marked John Abercrombie's continued evolution as a prominent figure in jazz, following his notable works in the 1970s and 1980s. At this point in his career, he was recognized for blending traditional jazz elements with modern sensibilities, further solidifying his legacy as a masterful guitarist and composer.

Who is Up and Coming for?

Up and Coming works well if you're into steady mid-tempo relaxation, intricate guitar lines exploration and meditative background ambiance.

How many songs are on Up and Coming?

Up and Coming has 8 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Up and Coming

John Abercrombie · 2013

47 min · 8 tracks · jazz fusion

A contemplative blend of smooth melodies and intricate improvisations, showcasing Abercrombie's distinctive guitar work in contemporary jazz.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Joy Start here — This opening track encapsulates the album's overall spirit of exploration, featuring bright melodic lines that invite listeners into Abercrombie's sonic world.
→
Nardis — Abercrombie's interpretation of this classic composition showcases his ability to infuse fresh life into well-known standards while demonstrating intricate improvisational skills.
→
Tears — The emotional depth of this piece highlights Abercrombie's expressive guitar tone, allowing listeners to experience a poignant narrative woven through musical phrases.

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 showcases intricate guitar work and thoughtful improvisation, contributing to its distinct sound within jazz fusion.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational sections, with each track averaging around six minutes in length, allowing for exploration of themes.
Several tracks incorporate subtle shifts in tempo and dynamics, particularly evident in 'Tears' where the pace slows to create a reflective mood.

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

steady mid-tempo relaxation
intricate guitar lines exploration
meditative background ambiance
thoughtful afternoon listening

Maybe skip if you

seekers of fast-paced tunes
prefer catchy, sing-along tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Showcases continued evolution and vitality in Abercrombie's sound in later years.
Themes: jazz improvisation· contemporary sonic exploration· melodic storytelling
Career context: Released in 2013, Up and Coming marked John Abercrombie's continued evolution as a prominent figure in jazz, following his notable works in the 1970s and 1980s. At this point in his career, he was recognized for blending traditional jazz elements with modern sensibilities, further solidifying his legacy as a masterful guitarist and composer.
Stylistic neighbors: Pat Metheny· Bill Frisell· Larry Coryell