Change of the Century cover

Change of the Century

Released

Recorded in October 1959 and released in May 1960, alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman’s second Atlantic release is one of his most immediately accessible albums. The opening “Ramblin’” is an uptempo country blues seemingly designed to bounce listeners out of their seats, and every other track save the aptly titled “Free” has a head-spinning but instantly memorable melody, essayed and then abandoned by Coleman and trumpeter Don Cherry, and rides a hard-swinging rhythm courtesy of bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Billy Higgins.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
Force Majeure cover

Force Majeure

Brandee Younger, Dezron Douglas
Old and New Dreams cover

Old and New Dreams

Charlie Haden, Ed Blackwell, Dewey Redman, Don Cherry
Shaman! cover

Shaman!

Idris Ackamoor & the Pyramids
Out to Lunch cover

Out to Lunch

Eric Dolphy
Sound Grammar cover

Sound Grammar

Ornette Coleman
Remain in Light cover

Remain in Light

Talking Heads
Der Abend Der Schwarzen Folklore cover

Der Abend Der Schwarzen Folklore

Caspar Brötzmann Massaker
Song for Mother E cover

Song for Mother E

Amina Claudine Myers