Promises
by Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra

Maybe the best jazz record that has come out in recent years, the different movements blend so well together and it's dreamlike qualities make listening to it pure bliss at times

A very minimalist jazz performance that allows its instruments to tell the tale of the record. The tenor sax performance from Sanders is phenomenal and he lights up every track with his presence on there. He really commands the music and feels like he is leading everyone else with his solos. Movement 1 and Movement 6 are where he is at his peak on this album. The rest of the music fits into this otherworldly style very nicely and it creates a great atmosphere for us to be engulfed in. It does a great job of taking the listener away and it easily allows for us to get lost in the music. However, I find that the sound can be a little repetitive at times and some of the ideas do get repeated quite a bit. It could do with a little more diversity in places as well as there is only so many times I can hear the same sound before it gets a little annoying. Overall, a fantastic minimalist jazz record that proves that you don't need to be extremely up tempo or catchy to be brilliant.

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In General, I am more of a maximalist than a minimalist, but “Promises” is a compelling counter argument. The whole album is made of quiet moments and subtle changes. The saxophone pairs so serenely with the light electronics. The constant motif pulls the listener in making even the smallest change feel profound. This gently pushes the listener forward creating one cohesive journey through the entire album. The louder moments on “Movement 7” and “Movement 8” don’t carry the majesty but ruin the album by any means. “Promises” is a truly complete piece.

From VictorVale 02/16/2022 19:57 | #281395

Belíssimo a harmonia do jazz, orquestra e música eletrônica!

From sszwalbenest 01/24/2022 21:55 | #280039

This record almost made me cry the first time I listened to it. Just phenomenal. Also holds together as a cohesive unit better than almost anything I have heard before. Instant classic!

Best album of the year.

Perfect album to study.

From seb7 12/16/2021 17:14 | #277575

AOTY for 2021. Honestly transformational and somehow still sounding futuristic and inventive. May this be the future of Third Stream!!!!!!

A beautifully minimal jazz album that took my spirit on a journey. Feels like slowly waking up from a pleasant dream.