Jazz Archives

Jan Garbarek had studied with the great American composer George Russell, and had previously appeared on Russell's venture into jazz-rock, Electronic Sonata for Souls Loved By Nature. Whereas his teacher's usage of rock rhythms in an avant jazz context often came off as rather clunky, for Garbarek and his guitarist, Terje Rypdal, formerly a member of the popular Norwegian band the Vanguards, such a melding was more second nature. The Esoteric Circle, the first album by their band of the same name (hey, this was still the '60s after all), is a highly successful and enjoyable effort, one that can stand comfortably with work being done at that time by Tony Williams or John McLaughlin. Garbarek's compositions range from deeply felt homages to Coltrane ("Traneflight" and "Nefertite") to rocking jams like "Rabalder," where Rypdal gets to showcase his considerable chops. In fact, some of these themes were used by Russell in his aforementioned work. Garbarek's own playing, here entirely on tenor, come largely out of Albert Ayler as well as Coltrane, and his general attack is much more raw and aggressive than the style for which he would eventually become more widely known through his recordings for ECM. Listeners who enjoy his first several albums for that label (from Afric Pepperbird to Witchi-Tai-To) will find much to savor here.

:::Review by Brian Olewnick:::

Jan Garbarek - Esoteric Circle (1969)

1. Traneflight (2:59)
2. Rabalder (8:22)
3. Esoteric Circle (5:29)
4. Vips (5:49)
5. SAS 644 (7:55)
6. Nefertite (2:10)
7. Gee (1:16)
8. Karin's Mode (7:38)
9. Breeze Ending (3:44)

Credits
Jan Garbarek - tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
Terje Rypdal - guitar
Arild Andersen - bass
Jon Christensen - percussion

Produced by George Russell

Kenny Wheeler's beautiful sound on trumpet and his wide range are well-displayed on his four compositions, three of which are given performances over ten minutes long. With the assistance of ECM regulars Jan Garbarek (on tenor and soprano), guitarist John Abercrombie, bassist Dave Holland, drummer Jack DeJohnette and (on one song) guitarist Ralph Towner, Wheeler emphasizes lyricism and romantic moods on this fine set of original music.

:::Review by Scott Yanow:::


Kenny Wheeler - Deer Wan (1977)

1. Peace For Five 16:27
2. 3/4 In The Afternoon 5:50
3. Sumother Song 11:25
4. Deer Wan 10:04


Credits
Artwork By [Cover Design] - B. Wojirsch
Bass - Dave Holland
Composed By - Kenny Wheeler
Drums - Jack DeJohnette
Electric Guitar, Mandolin [Electric] - John Abercrombie
Engineer - Jan Erik Kongshaug
Guitar [12 String] - Ralph Towner (tracks: 2)
Photography - Klaus Knaup [Front Cover], Roberto Masotti
Producer - Manfred Eicher
Saxophone [Tenor, Soprano] - Jan Garbarek
Trumpet, Flugelhorn - Kenny Wheeler

In addition to his solo piano concerts and the American group he led that featured tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman, Keith Jarrett was also busy in the mid-'70s with his European band, a quartet comprised of Jan Garbarek on tenor and soprano, bassist Palle Danielsson, and drummer Jon Christensen. Due to the popularity of the haunting "My Song," this album is the best known of the Jarrett-Garbarek collaborations and it actually is their most rewarding meeting on record. Jarrett contributed all six compositions and the results are relaxed and introspective yet full of inner tension.

1. Questar (9:11)
2. My Song (6:10)
3. Tabarka (9:12)
4. Country (5:00)
5. Mandala (8:18)
6. The Journey Home (10:31)

Bass - Palle Danielsson
Drums - Jon Christensen
Piano, Percussion - Keith Jarrett
Producer - Manfred Eicher
Saxophone [Tenor And Soprano] - Jan Garbarek

Notes

Recorded November 1977 at Talent Studios, Oslo.