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Levels and degrees of light and sound: an intuitive journey through ECM’s audible landscape. Arc-en-ciel de sons et de lumières... parcourez le paysage musical ECM. Nuancen von Licht und Ton: eine stimmungsvolle Reise durch die musikalische Landschaft von ECM. Arcobaleno di suoni e luci: un viaggio affascinante attraverso il ...
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Eivind Aarset, Composer, Arranger, Guitar, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Bang, Composer, Arranger, Electro-Acoustic Realization, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Arve Henriksen, Arranger, Trumpet, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tigran Hamasyan, Composer, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 ECM Records
Manfred Eicher, Producer - Andrey Dergatchev, Composer, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Sergey Bolshokov, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2005 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Arvo Pärt, Composer - Markus Heiland, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Alexander Malter, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1996 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
John Taylor , Composer, Piano, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kenny Wheeler, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Norma Winstone, Author, Voice, AssociatedPerformer - Azimuth, MainArtist
℗ 1977 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Keith Jarrett, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Thomas de Hartmann, Contributor, Transcription - George Gurdjieff, Composer - Martin Wieland, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1980 ECM Records GmbH
Jan Erik Kongshaug, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andreas Tsekouras, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Kim Kashkashian, Viola, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - String Orchestra, Orchestra - Eleni Karaindrou, Composer - Lefteris Chalkiadakis, Conductor - Christos Sfetsas, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Vangelis Skouras, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Vangelis Christopoulos, Oboe, AssociatedPerformer - Georgia Voulvi, Voice, AssociatedPerformer - Yannis Smirneos, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1995 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
John Potter, Tenor, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ambrose Field, Composer, Recording Engineer, Sound Effects, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2009 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Markus Heiland, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Komitas, ComposerLyricist - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Tigran Hamasyan, Arranger, Work Arranger, MainArtist - Yerevan State Chamber Choir, MainArtist - Harutyun Topikyan, MainArtist
℗ 2015 ECM Records GmbH
Rune Arnesen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Nils Petter Molvær, Composer, Trumpet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Ulf W. Ø. Holand, Producer, Samples, AssociatedPerformer - Eivind Aarset, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer
℗ 1997 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Arvo Pärt, ComposerLyricist - Tonu Kaljuste, Conductor, MainArtist - Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Choir, MainArtist - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Margo Kolar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2009 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Lyle Mays, Composer, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pat Metheny, Composer, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nana Vasconcelos, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer
℗ 1981 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Alexei Lubimov, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Cage, Composer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Peter Länger, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2002 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Orchestra - Charlie Haden, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Jarrett, Composer, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Jan Garbarek, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Mladen Gutesha, Conductor - Martin Wieland, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1976 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Vijay Iyer, Composer, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - James A. Farber, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marcus Gilmore, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Stephan Crump, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Vijay Iyer Trio, MainArtist - Akihiro Nishimura, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2015 ECM Records GmbH
Gerard De Haro, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roscoe Mitchell, Composer, Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tyshawn Sorey, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - William Winant, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Craig Taborn, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Jaribu Shahid, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Ragin, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - James Fei, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Kikanju Baku, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Tani Tabbal, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolas Baillard, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Lake, Producer - David Zuchowsky, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Marc Johnson, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Dino Saluzzi, Composer, Bandoneon, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - José Maria Saluzzi, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1997 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Marc Johnson, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Dino Saluzzi, Composer, Bandoneon, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - José Maria Saluzzi, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1997 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Surman, Composer, Bass Clarinet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer
℗ 1979 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Palle Mikkelborg, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jon Christensen, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Terje Rypdal, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1980 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Manfred Eicher, Producer - Craig Taborn, Composer, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2011 ECM Records GmbH
Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Miroslav Vitous, Composer, Upright Bass, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Jan Garbarek, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1993 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Manfred Eicher, Producer - Francesco Corbetta, Composer - Rolf Lislevand, Arranger, Guitar, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2015 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Valentin Silvestrov, Composer - Markus Heiland, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Duo Gazzana, Ensemble, MainArtist - Natascia Gazzana, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Raffaella Gazzana, Piano, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 ECM Records GmbH
Valentin Silvestrov, Composer - Markus Heiland, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Duo Gazzana, Ensemble, MainArtist - Natascia Gazzana, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Raffaella Gazzana, Piano, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 ECM Records GmbH
Valentin Silvestrov, Composer - Markus Heiland, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Duo Gazzana, Ensemble, MainArtist - Natascia Gazzana, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Raffaella Gazzana, Piano, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 ECM Records GmbH
Valentin Silvestrov, Composer - Markus Heiland, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Duo Gazzana, Ensemble, MainArtist - Natascia Gazzana, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Raffaella Gazzana, Piano, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 ECM Records GmbH
Valentin Silvestrov, Composer - Markus Heiland, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Duo Gazzana, Ensemble, MainArtist - Natascia Gazzana, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Raffaella Gazzana, Piano, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 ECM Records GmbH
Manfred Eicher, Producer - Julian Sartorius, Drums, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Patrice Moret, Double Bass, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Colin Vallon, Composer, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Manfred Eicher, Producer - Julian Sartorius, Drums, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Patrice Moret, Double Bass, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Colin Vallon, Composer, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Manfred Eicher, Producer - François Couturier, Composer, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Anja Lechner, Arranger, Cello, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2014 ECM Records GmbH
Manfred Eicher, Producer - François Couturier, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Anja Lechner, Arranger, Cello, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - George Gurdjieff, Composer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2014 ECM Records GmbH
Manfred Eicher, Producer - François Couturier, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Anja Lechner, Arranger, Cello, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - George Gurdjieff, Composer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2014 ECM Records GmbH
Cyril Atef, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Ginouves, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Yves Robert, Composer, Trombone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Vincent Courtois, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Vincent Bruly, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2002 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Cyril Atef, Composer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Ginouves, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Yves Robert, Trombone, Trumpet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Vincent Courtois, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Vincent Bruly, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2002 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Cyril Atef, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Ginouves, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Yves Robert, Composer, Trombone, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Vincent Courtois, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Vincent Bruly, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2002 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Jan Erik Kongshaug, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andreas Tsekouras, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Kim Kashkashian, Viola, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - String Orchestra, Orchestra - Eleni Karaindrou, Composer - Lefteris Chalkiadakis, Conductor - Christos Sfetsas, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Vangelis Skouras, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Vangelis Christopoulos, Oboe, AssociatedPerformer - Georgia Voulvi, Voice, AssociatedPerformer - Yannis Smirneos, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1995 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Trilok Gurtu, Tabla, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Barre Phillips, Composer, Double Bass, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Terje Rypdal, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dieter Feichtner, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
JACK DEJOHNETTE, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Holland, Double Bass, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - James A. Farber, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Django Bates, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Anouar Brahem, Composer, Oud, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
JACK DEJOHNETTE, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Holland, Double Bass, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - James A. Farber, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Django Bates, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Anouar Brahem, Composer, Oud, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Ole Morten Vågan, Composer, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Lucy Railton, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Thomas Strønen, Composer, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Håkon Aase, Composer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ayumi Tanaka, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Time Is A Blind Guide, MainArtist
℗ 2018 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Ole Morten Vågan, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Lucy Railton, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Thomas Strønen, Composer, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Håkon Aase, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ayumi Tanaka, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Time Is A Blind Guide, MainArtist
℗ 2018 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Peteris VASKS, Composer - Dennis Russell Davies, Conductor, MainArtist - Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Orchestra, MainArtist - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Benjamin Hudson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Gyorgy Bognar, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - TATSUYA HAYASHI, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Iain MacPhail, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Hans-Joachim Dann, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Attila Demus, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Stanislas Bogucz, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Reinhard Werner, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - P.A. Konrad Neander, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Neander, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Emanuel Wieck, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Midori Tanaka, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Mini Schulz, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Wolfgang Kussmaul, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Länger, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adriana RIngler, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Metzler, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Henning Trübsbach, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Onur Kestel, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Sébastien Faraut, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1997 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Gerard De Haro, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Elina Duni, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Elina Duni Quartet, MainArtist - Norbert Pfammatter, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Patrice Moret, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Colin Vallon, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolas Baillard, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Isak Muçolli, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2015 ECM Records GmbH
Gerard De Haro, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Elina Duni, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Elina Duni Quartet, MainArtist - Muharrem Gurra, ComposerLyricist - Norbert Pfammatter, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Patrice Moret, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Colin Vallon, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolas Baillard, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2015 ECM Records GmbH
Eivind Aarset, Composer, Arranger, Guitar, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Bang, Composer, Arranger, Electro-Acoustic Realization, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Arve Henriksen, Composer, Arranger, Trumpet, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tigran Hamasyan, Composer, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 ECM Records
Eivind Aarset, Composer, Arranger, Guitar, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Bang, Composer, Arranger, Electro-Acoustic Realization, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Arve Henriksen, Composer, Arranger, Trumpet, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tigran Hamasyan, Composer, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 ECM Records
Eivind Aarset, Arranger, Guitar, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Komitas, Composer - Jan Bang, Arranger, Electro-Acoustic Realization, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Arve Henriksen, Arranger, Trumpet, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tigran Hamasyan, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 ECM Records
Isaac Albeniz, Composer - Eivind Aarset, Arranger, Guitar, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Komitas, Composer - Jan Bang, Arranger, Electro-Acoustic Realization, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Arve Henriksen, Arranger, Trumpet, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tigran Hamasyan, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stefano Amerio, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 ECM Records
About Playlist
Levels and degrees of light and sound: an intuitive journey through ECM’s audible landscape.
Arc-en-ciel de sons et de lumières... parcourez le paysage musical ECM.
Nuancen von Licht und Ton: eine stimmungsvolle Reise durch die musikalische Landschaft von ECM.
Arcobaleno di suoni e luci: un viaggio affascinante attraverso il paesaggio musicale di ECM.
Arcoíris de sonidos y luces: un viaje fascinante a través del paisaje musical de ECM.
ECM in 10 Albums
by Marc Zisman
“The most beautiful sound next to silence.” That’s been ECM’s motto for the past fifty years. Manfred Eicher, the charismatic founder of the Munich label, seems to live in a parallel universe. And jazz sounds different on planet ECM. It is often thanks to this label that artists such as Keith Jarrett, Charles Lloyd, Jan Garbarek, Chick Corea have recorded their best records. Even more so than with Blue Note or Impulse! Limiting the whole history of this extraordinary label to just 10 records would be mission impossible. So, these 10 albums will tell not “the” story but “a” story of ECM.
ECM may have been created in the golden age of free jazz, but Manfred Eicher approached the genre with a twist: “I didn't want to work too much with the free jazz scene because I thought it was mostly made for live performance. And that the entire strength of that intensity was difficult to capture on tape.” When he brought together the Art Ensemble of Chicago in Tonstudio Bauer in Ludwigsburg in May 1978 to record this aptly named album Nice Guys, the storm suddenly grew calm. Born ten years earlier, the Chicago gang continued their unique Great Black Music for their first ECM record by mixing together improvisations, music from their elders, tribal sequences and freedom in all its forms. For Lester Bowie, Malachi Favors, Joseph Jarman, Roscoe Mitchell and Don Moye, Great Black Music was plural. It therefore seemed only logical that they built more bridges between continents and decades than usual. And while Nice Guys looks more like a patchwork than an entity, that’s only because it perfectly documents an original avant-garde vision and an exciting era. Not one for sensitive souls.
John Surman – Road to Saint Ives (1990)
This album is the work of one man and one man only: John Surman. On soprano and baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, keyboard, synthesizer and percussion, the British musician played everything here himself, skilfully superimposing each instrument in measured layers. The result is magnificent. It alternates between an introspective journey and a wide range of sonic landscapes. When he released this record at the age of 46, Surman was already a major figure in European jazz and a first-class resident at ECM, having already signed off on several records for the label. However, this solitary journey, which was captured in April 1990 at Rainbow Studio in Oslo, gave his sound universe a new density. The harmonic strength makes it one of his most beautiful recordings. Road to Saint Ives was inspired by the landscape and history of Cornwall, which have fascinated him since his childhood, even though the saxophonist insists in the cover notes that he comes from a city further to the east and isn’t truly Cornish. “The pieces are not intended to be musical portraits of particular places or events, the tracks being simply a collection of some of the intriguing place-names found on and around the road to St. Ives…” John Surman's eclecticism is what makes his journey so fascinating. He alternates between mystical passages from ancient times that are rooted in a folk tradition and sequences with almost futuristic sounds. A journey like no other...
Jan Garbarek / Anouar Brahem / Ustad Shaukat Hussain – Madar (1994)
Whether he studies the music of ancient polyphonic composers or exchanges sounds with musicians from Asia or Africa, whether he transmits the folk tradition of his native Norway or joins Keith Jarrett's European quartet, the saxophonist Jan Garbarek has never stopped exploring. So much so that without him (being the musician who has recorded the most for ECM), Manfred Eicher's label would not be the same. Nor would European jazz... Garbarek has his own sound. A kind of atmosphere that’s immediately recognizable among thousands. In his extensive discography, Madar should be filed under the ‘world experiences’ section. Recorded in Oslo in the summer of 1992 with the Tunisian oudist Anouar Brahem and the Pakistani percussionist Ustad Shaukat Hussain, the album captured a dialogue between different cultures right from the start. Garbarek had already exchanged melodies with Pakistani musicians two years earlier as part of a sextet on the record Ragas and Sagas. But on this record, the smaller cast gave more strength to his interventions and his two accomplices were presented on an equal footing. Like Anouar Brahem’s improvised solo on Bahia, or Shaukat Hussain's tabla which carried the theme on Jaw, Garbarek added two pieces from his native folklore (Sull lull and Joron). The trio slalom from one landscape to another for over an hour and a quarter. In short, it’s a pure ECM record, and an expert in breaking down borders.
Nils Petter Molvær – Khmer (1997)
ECM has sometimes been criticized for only making ECM records. Always that same sound. That same aesthetic. That rich jazz that was occasionally imbued with world sounds and dominated by spaces and climatic improvisations... Manfred Eicher has also been accused of resting on his laurels and only working with the same musicians... With Khmers, the producer from Munich proved that his ears are not immune to what was being whispered around him. This record is a kind of UFO in his label's vast catalogue. It was Nils Petter Molvær’s first solo album, a musician who was formerly known for his work with the group Masqualero, and the record intrigued the jazz world when it was released in 1998. With a muted sound that linked him to the unique sound of Miles Davis, the Norwegian trumpeter explored new territories between the borders of jazz, electronic and world music. Being a big fan of Miles’ electric years, Molvaer aimed to merge Bill Laswell's productions with Massive Attack's trip hop, tribal world rhythms and the drum'n'bass and jungle that was popular in England at the time. With the help of samples and drum machines, the avant-garde Scandinavian compositions retain a great melodic sensuality. And without scratching too far beneath the surface, we even find some traces of that famous ECM DNA.
Charles Lloyd – The Water Is Wide (2000)
When Charles Lloyd signed with ECM in 1989, he couldn't have imagined that he would experience one of the most wonderful resurrections a jazzman of his generation has ever experienced. Adored by his peers and the public until the end of the 1960s, the Memphis saxophonist was 51 years old at the time of this resurrection. During the 1970s, he only occasionally picked up his instrument and it was only at the beginning of the following decade that he formed a new group with pianist Michel Petrucciani. From 1989 to 2013, Lloyd recorded sixteen albums for ECM. These records are cleverly thought out and always imbued with his own ethereal lyricism. He developed a dream-like style which kept its freshness, even though it was consistent with his work of yesteryear. Released in August 2000, The Water is Wide is one of the highlights from his long enchanting career, partly due to its five-star cast. Guitarist John Abercrombie, pianist Brad Mehldau, double bassist Larry Grenadier and his old drummer Billy Higgins provide Charles Lloyd with a rich backdrop onto which he adds his generous and spiritual phrases. With the help of a slow tempo repertoire that mixes jazz standards, traditional pieces (Georgia, The Water Is Wide, Black Butterfly, Lotus Blossom, Heaven, There Is a Balm in Gilead) and personal compositions, he accentuates the moving depth of his playing. The alchemy between the five men is constantly palpable and it amplifies the warmth of a record that you can listen to again and again without ever growing tired of it.
Translated by Georgia Eriksen.
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