In the '70s, pianist Richard Beirach pioneered a distinctive type of ethereal jazz, characterized by lush, polytonal harmonies and frequent outbursts of angular, high-velocity lines that broke up the austere moods of his compositions. This beautiful trio outing with bassist George Mraz and drummer Jack DeJohnette is classic Beirach, and as apt an example of the "ECM sound" as one will find. The piano reverberates in concert hall fashion, even as the bass and drums interact with a looseness, and often an explosiveness, that is anything but cold and removed. There are only five tracks on Elm, but because each presents a different aspect of Beirach's music, the album is satisfying and quite whole. The opener, "Sea Priestess," presents deceptively simple harmonies over a lilting even-eighth groove…
Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. I really have to say that this is a record that any modern jazz record collector should run out and buy. Ronnie Cuber plays baritone sax and i really have to say that he plays wonderfully. I have not heard a bari sax player that I like this well since Pepper Adams in his heyday. Tom Harrell is really a joyful trumpet player. The rythm section is right on. I had never heard of De Graaf. He is a Dutch piano player and I will be looking for his records in the future. This is really one of the best contemporary jazz records that I have heard in a very long time.
Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. An excellent set from reedman Dave Liebman – easily one of his most soulful from the 70s, thanks to some key currents in the group! John Scofield is on the session – playing guitar, but sometimes with this phrasing that almost feels more like a keyboard – especially in the way it layers into the rhythms from Ron McClure on bass and Adam Nussbaum on drums – who work with John to carve out these nicely chunky moments that allow Dave to really take off on tenor and soprano sax. The great Terumasa Hino is also in the combo – and his work on trumpet and flugelhorn is brilliant – this bold, flowing sense of color that really illuminates things – and without which, the album would be far less. Titles include "Cliff's Vibes", "Stardust", "Lady", and "Doin It Again".
‘Quintet Sessions 1979’ is the follow-up to Dot Time’s critically acclaimed re-release of Wolfgang Lackerschmid and Chet Baker’s Ballads For Two. A continuation of Lackerschmid’s great adventure with one of the greatest trumpet players in the history of the art form, the album features the spirited duo of iconic trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker and vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid alongside a stellar rhythm section made up of jazz luminaries Larry Coryell (guitar), Buster Williams (bass) and Tony Williams (drums).