The Shape Of Jazz To Come (studio album) by Ornette Coleman

The album is very good and innovative, but, in my opinion, it is not a legendary album the way that some people say it is.

However, the title of the album might be the best title of any Jazz album.

9/10!

This albums importance is evident throughout the whole record and the influence it will have on future jazz releases is apparent. The performances are very strong as well with Coleman leading the line on his sax and really setting a very high level for the other performers. This is best evidenced on Peace which is one of my favourite cuts on the album. I do find the random nature to be more effective on some songs than others and it can get a bit repetitive near the end. I think some of the songs could be built on a little more as well and there is times when there isn't a lot going on. However, the album does have to be praised for its experimentation and all round musical quality. This is because the performers really hold nothing back and you can see that with every listen. Overall, this is a jazz album I have wrestled with for a long time and I still find myself thinking that it is very enjoyable and very good but it isn't up there with the all time jazz classics for me.

Strangely prophetic! The title does in fact represent some truth going into the 1960s.

From planetneutral 02/02/2021 00:24

For some reason, this album makes more sense to me than some of the more "conventional" works in the jazz canon.

From StefanR10 06/19/2020 16:18

It is good and precious my mother say after a while it goes on the nerves but i enjoy the music. Good relaxing stuff.

The title of the album, "The Shape Of Jazz To Come" perfectly summarizes the claim and the importance of the album. Released in 1959, this jazz record by Ornette Coleman (alto saxophonist) is one of the general jazz classics, and a totally avant-garde record, considered the first free-jazz album of the history, 38 minutes during which Coleman revolutionized jazz with as much force as Miles Davis, the same year, with "Kind Of Blue". "The Shape Of Jazz To Come", all along its 6 tracks, is a treat, on which Coleman's saxophone is wonderful. Coleman is a pretty underrated jazzman as grandiose as Coltrane, Davis or Mingus ... With its very strange and innovative structure for the time, this record marked considerably jazz and music in general.

10/10

Best track: "Lonely Woman"

From VictorVale 01/04/2019 19:19

Uma viagem absolutamente moderna para sua época.

I love the conversational tone of the melodies and improvisation. The cornet and bass also do really well to fill the place of the piano on this album. One of my favourites in jazz.

From Brad1770 06/15/2018 02:16

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From Mechalodon 08/26/2017 17:15

Those geese most be having a very interesting conversation
It's too bad I don't speak goose