Description
Ornette Coleman – Change Of The Century – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
180 gram limited edition, repro of original US release
Ornette Coleman – Change of the Century, released in 1960, is a landmark album in the evolution of modern jazz, and one that solidified Ornette Coleman’s position as a pioneer of free jazz. Recorded with his classic quartet—Don Cherry on pocket trumpet, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums—the album follows the explosive impact of Coleman’s previous release, The Shape of Jazz to Come, and pushes his bold musical ideas even further into uncharted territory.
As the title suggests, Change of the Century is both a manifesto and a prediction. Coleman was rejecting the chordal constraints of bebop and hard bop, advocating for a new kind of improvisation that emphasized emotional expression, collective interplay, and melodic freedom over harmonic rules. Unlike traditional jazz, where soloists improvise over predetermined chord changes, Coleman and his group allowed melody, intuition, and group dynamics to guide their performances, creating music that was spontaneous, raw, and deeply personal.
From the first notes of “Ramblin’”—with Haden’s earthy bass riff and Coleman’s dancing, blues-infused alto sax—the album exudes energy, wit, and urgency. “Ramblin’” in particular stands out for its loose, swinging feel, blending a kind of avant-garde freedom with a deep connection to folk and blues roots. Tracks like “Una Muy Bonita” and the title track, “Change of the Century,” explore unpredictable forms, sudden shifts in tempo and mood, and overlapping improvisations that defy traditional solo/accompaniment roles.
Despite the lack of piano—a radical move at the time—there’s no lack of harmonic richness. Charlie Haden’s bass provides anchoring melodic ideas, and Don Cherry’s trumpet engages in near-telepathic call-and-response exchanges with Coleman. Meanwhile, Billy Higgins’s drumming is fluid and responsive, pushing and pulling with the group rather than just keeping time. The result is music that feels alive in the moment, constantly evolving with each phrase.
While Coleman’s approach was controversial—many traditionalists criticized it as chaotic or “unstructured”—there’s an undeniable coherence and beauty to this record. It’s a product of deep listening among players who trusted each other completely and were committed to forging a new language for jazz.
Change of the Century isn’t just a historical artifact—it still feels vital, bracing, and emotionally direct today. It paved the way for the entire free jazz movement of the 1960s, influencing artists like John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Albert Ayler, and Cecil Taylor, and helped reframe jazz as a radical, forward-looking art form.
For listeners new to Ornette Coleman, this album is more accessible than some of his later free-form explorations—it still carries memorable themes, rhythmic pulse, and lyrical phrasing, even as it breaks the mold. For longtime fans, it’s a thrilling snapshot of a group inventing something entirely new, track by track.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Ramblin’
Free
The Face Of The Bass
Forerunner
Bird Food
Una Muy Bonita
Change Of The Century
