The Album That Redefined Herb Alpert
—A bold shift from his classic sound, blending smooth jazz with disco-era grooves.
PART ONE
PART TWO
Rise is a 1979 album by Herb Alpert that marked a departure from his earlier trumpet-driven pop and jazz sound, embracing a smooth, contemporary jazz-funk style with a disco influence.
The title track, Rise, became a major hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
The album blends Alpert's signature trumpet with lush arrangements, groovy basslines, and rhythmic sophistication, making it a standout in late-'70s instrumental music.
Its influence extended beyond jazz, as Rise was later sampled in hip-hop, most notably in The Notorious B.I.G.’s Hypnotize.