Wish cover

Wish

Joshua Redman · 1993

61 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of complex rhythms and soulful melodies that captures the essence of contemporary jazz.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Soul Dance — This track exemplifies Redman's ability to weave intricate improvisations over a groovy foundation, showcasing his unique sound and technical skill.
  • →
    Tears in Heaven — Redman's rendition of this Eric Clapton classic transforms it into a jazz ballad that highlights both his emotional depth and interpretative prowess.
  • →
    Blues for Pat — As a lengthy live piece, this track allows for extended improvisation, showcasing the interplay between Redman and his bandmates while paying tribute to Pat Metheny.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Redman's debut showcases strong compositions and skilled performances, establishing his voice in contemporary jazz.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate extended improvisation sections, allowing musicians to explore themes rather than adhering strictly to written melodies.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

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

  • gradual build to emotional climax
  • soulful melodies for reflective moments
  • intricate rhythms for attentive listening
  • live tracks enhance communal experience

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer fast-paced, instant gratification
  • seek standalone singles over cohesion

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1993, Wish is Joshua Redman's debut album, marking his entry into the jazz scene following his victory at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. At only 24 years old, Redman showcased his innovative approach to post-bop, establishing himself as a significant voice in jazz.
Stylistic neighbors
Brad Mehldau· Chris Potter· Kurt Rosenwinkel

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Soul Dance

    The bridge features a shift where the rhythm becomes more syncopated, creating an exhilarating tension before resolving back into the groove.

    This rhythmic variation not only heightens the song's excitement but also demonstrates Redman's knack for dynamic composition.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Turnaround 6:24
  • 2 Soul Dance 6:32
  • 3 Make Sure You’re Sure 5:26
  • 4 The Deserving Many 5:39
  • 5 We Had a Sister 5:47
  • 6 Moose the Mooche 3:32
  • 7 Tears in Heaven 3:24
  • 8 Whittlin’ 5:22
  • 9 Wish (live) 7:24
  • 10 Blues for Pat (live) 12:07

What to play next

Joshua Redman
Listen next

Joshua Redman

1993
Walking Shadows
Go back to

Walking Shadows
Full Joshua Redman discography Artists like Joshua Redman
post-bop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata