snobb Witchi-Tai-To was Garbarek's first move from experimental sounds to more conventional areas and also his biggest commercial success of the decade. His reformed quartet (with old collaborators Jon Christensen on drums and Swedish pianist Bobo Stenson, plus the more conservative bassist Palle Danielsson instead of Arild Andersen) became the support band for Keith Jarrett's European quartet (where Jarrett changed Stenson). After two years of work with Jarrett and some recordings, Garbarek returns with "Dansere" - his second album, recorded with Stenson, Christensen and Danielsson on board.

There is only two years of distance between the two albums, but a lot of experience and influence from Jarrett's music is evident. If Jarrett left the European quartet for a long-lasting series of technically perfect, but too often soulless and cold concert/studio releases with polished sound. Garbarek, with the rest of the quartet did almost the same but in his own manner. Dansere is the next step away from the adventurous past of his first four albums, and towards a more commercial "ECM sound", still with visible post-bop roots and rare free jazz licks here and there, but the decision was done for sure - and it shows. Starting from here, Garbarek's saxophone sound will stay clear and straight for years, if not decades, and he will become the idol of European world music (not world jazz) and intelligent new age.

This album itself isn't so bad, still - sometimes a bit faceless and toothless, it has its moments and comparing it with what will come after very soon, it still could attract Garbarek's fans interest.