Relativity (Walt Dickerson album)

Reception

The Allmusic site awarded the album 4½ stars, stating "If there is a flaw with Relativity, it's that it doesn't have quite the same spark of revelation as Dickerson's first two albums; critics were beginning to identify his brief note clusters and stop-start phrasing as stylistic trademarks, and aside from the duet with Abdul-Malik, the record doesn't really push Dickerson's sound into new territory. Still, taken independently of context, Relativity is another fine recording and one of the better pieces of Dickerson's underappreciated legacy". Down Beat reviewer Don DeMichael wrote "This third Dickerson album, like the first two, offers excitement, emotional experience, and music of high quality. ...this is a very good album and is heartily recommended for the sometime electrifying emotion Dickerson is able to generate."

Track listing

All compositions by Walt Dickerson except as indicated

1. "Relativity" - 5:20
2. "It Ain't Necessarily So" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) - 4:25
3. "I Can't Get Started" (Vernon Duke, I. Gershwin) - 5:05
4. "Steppin' Out" - 2:05
5. "The Unknown" - 3:59
6. "Sugar Lump" - 6:05
7. "Autumn in New York" (Duke) - 7:25

Personnel