What makes What Now My Love by Herb Alpert notable?

What Now My Love reached significant commercial success, peaking at number 9 on the US Billboard Pop Albums chart. This album not only reinforced Alpert's influence in the crossover jazz genre but also earned critical acclaim for its innovative arrangements and production, contributing to the popularization of instrumental pop music during the 1960s. Released in 1966, What Now My Love marked Herb Alpert's transition from commercial success with The Tijuana Brass to a more personal artistic expression. This album followed his massive hit 'The Lonely Bull' and showcased his ability to infuse pop sensibilities into jazz and lounge music, solidifying his status as a versatile musician.

Who is What Now My Love for?

What Now My Love works well if you're into nostalgic melodies for reflection, short tracks for quick enjoyment and smooth sounds for elegant gatherings.

How many songs are on What Now My Love?

What Now My Love has 12 tracks, running approximately 31 minutes.

Released 60 years ago

What Now My Love

Herb Alpert · 1966

31 min · 12 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of lush melodies and smooth rhythms, showcasing Alpert's signature trumpet against a backdrop of diverse musical influences.

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Top tracks — play these first

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What Now My Love — The title track stands out for its emotional depth and masterful trumpet performance, encapsulating the album's themes of longing and introspection.
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It Was a Very Good Year — This cover showcases Alpert's ability to transform a classic ballad into a lush instrumental piece, highlighting his unique style and emotive playing.
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The Shadow of Your Smile — This track exemplifies Alpert's skillful blending of sophisticated harmonies and soft melodies, 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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong trumpet melodies and varied rhythms, balancing energetic and reflective moments.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of trumpet melodies that are often layered with lush string arrangements, creating a rich sonic texture.
Several tracks incorporate rhythmic shifts, such as the transition from a slow ballad to an upbeat tempo within the same piece.
The closing track employs a gradual fade-out, allowing the listener to linger on the final notes, which contrasts with the more energetic pieces earlier in the album.

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: 6/10
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

nostalgic melodies for reflection
short tracks for quick enjoyment
smooth sounds for elegant gatherings
playful energy with upbeat tempos

Maybe skip if you

seeking lengthy immersive experiences
prefer intense, driving rhythms

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1966, What Now My Love marked Herb Alpert's transition from commercial success with The Tijuana Brass to a more personal artistic expression. This album followed his massive hit 'The Lonely Bull' and showcased his ability to infuse pop sensibilities into jazz and lounge music, solidifying his status as a versatile musician.
Stylistic neighbors: Chuck Mangione· Burt Bacharach· David Sanborn