What makes Voice in the Night by Charles Lloyd notable?

Voice in the Night received critical acclaim for its innovative sound and emotional depth, contributing to Lloyd's recognition as a vital figure in jazz. The album was praised in major publications like DownBeat and helped solidify his influence within both the jazz and blues genres during a time of artistic resurgence. Released in 1999, Voice in the Night marked Charles Lloyd's return to the jazz scene after a decade-long hiatus, following his previous album, Notes from Big Sur. At this point, Lloyd was re-establishing himself as a significant voice in contemporary jazz, blending traditional forms with modern sensibilities.

Who is Voice in the Night for?

Voice in the Night works well if you're into contemplative evening listening sessions, patient explorations of emotional depth and intimate moments of reflection.

How many songs are on Voice in the Night?

Voice in the Night has 8 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Voice in the Night

Charles Lloyd · 1999

68 min · 8 tracks · blues

A meditative fusion of jazz and blues that weaves intricate melodies with emotive improvisation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Voice in the Night — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its haunting melody and intricate interplay between instruments, setting a contemplative mood.
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God Give Me Strength — This track features poignant lyrics and a soulful delivery that highlights Lloyd's ability to blend jazz with lyrical storytelling.
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Homage — In 'Homage', Lloyd pays tribute to musical influences past and present through rich improvisations that showcase his signature saxophone style.
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Forest Flower: Sunrise/Sunset — 'Forest Flower: Sunrise/Sunset' is an expansive piece that evolves through graceful transitions, illustrating Lloyd's mastery in creating atmospheric soundscapes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

72 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz and blues with intricate melodies and improvisation, creating a distinctive sound.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a slow build, layering saxophone melodies over subtle piano and percussion.
Each track typically extends beyond five minutes, allowing for extensive improvisation and exploration of themes.

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

Influence 4/10

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

contemplative evening listening sessions
patient explorations of emotional depth
intimate moments of reflection
slow-building melodies that linger
immersive soundscapes for solitude

Maybe skip if you

seekers of instant gratification
prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1999, Voice in the Night marked Charles Lloyd's return to the jazz scene after a decade-long hiatus, following his previous album, Notes from Big Sur. At this point, Lloyd was re-establishing himself as a significant voice in contemporary jazz, blending traditional forms with modern sensibilities.
Stylistic neighbors: Ornette Coleman· Wayne Shorter· Kamasi Washington