What makes Yes We Can by World Saxophone Quartet notable?

Yes We Can was well-received within the jazz community, noted for its intricate compositions and the quartet's seamless interplay. The album highlighted the group's ability to innovate within a traditionally structured genre, contributing to discussions about the future direction of jazz ensemble performances. Released in 2010, Yes We Can marked the World Saxophone Quartet's first album after a significant lineup change, introducing new members while retaining their avant-garde jazz essence. This album reflects their evolution as they continued to push the boundaries of jazz with innovative arrangements and compositions.

How many songs are on Yes We Can?

Yes We Can has 8 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Yes We Can

World Saxophone Quartet · 2010

68 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant tapestry of interwoven saxophone harmonies that blend rich tradition with contemporary improvisation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The River Niger — This track stands out for its rhythmic complexity and showcases the quartet's ability to blend lyrical melody with intricate improvisation, reflecting a deep sense of cultural heritage.
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Yes We Can — The title track serves as a manifesto of sorts, embodying the collective spirit and resilience that defines the ensemble, making it a pivotal moment on the album.
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Long March to Freedom — This piece encapsulates a journey through sound, marked by dynamic shifts that mirror historical struggles, resonating with themes of perseverance and hope.

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 strong compositions and skilled interplay, marking a notable evolution for the quartet.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of four saxophones, creating a dense harmonic texture that shifts between unison and intricate counterpoint.
The final track is a reprise of the first, providing a circular structure that reinforces the thematic material introduced at the beginning.

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 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.

Tracklist

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

1 Hattie Wall 10:54
2 The River Niger 9:06
3 Yes We Can 9:36
4 The God of Pain 6:19
5 The Angel of Pain 7:48
6 The Guessing Game 11:10
7 Long March to Freedom 9:00
8 Hattie Wall (reprise) 4:32

What to play next

Go back to

Political Blues

2006

Full World Saxophone Quartet discography Artists like World Saxophone Quartet

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata