ECM

Swiss pianist Colin Vallon second album on ECM (and fourth work released during decade he's active). Characteristic European chamber jazz, still unusually warm for ECM Oslo studio recordings. Together with basist Patrice Moret Vallon are part of Albanian singer Elina Duni band (as well ECM artist)

Edited by snobb - 11 Mar 2014 at 2:59am

British vocalist Norma Winstone received her popularity singing with early English avant-garde jazz acts in 70s (she was named best jazz singer in UK by Melody Maker in 1971). Her new album for ECM is characteristic British folk-jazz, her singing is supported by Italian pianist Glauco Venier and German reedist Klaus Gesing (her regular collaborators for years). Minimalist,tasteful and moody music, and very British.

Edited by snobb - 12 Feb 2014 at 2:36pm

One among most interesting US jazz pianist of younger generation Vijay Iyer started his musical career playing adventurous avant-garde jazz, later continued with more accessible contemporary jazz. So his debut on ECM looks quite logical step, main surprise here is that his "Mutations" contain mostly classic compositions, from baroque-influenced to modern European-like, almost no traces of jazz could be found. Supported by strings quartet

Edited by snobb - 06 Feb 2014 at 9:02am

snobb wrote: ECM opens the yaer 2014 with traditional for them chamber jazz release, Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen Quartet's "Extended Circle". Full of European classical tradition Nordic (minimalistic) chamber jazz. Compositions are mostly down tempo, but there are few more energetic number as well. Safe but quality chamber jazz (wonder if they can still make money from such releases?) listen here: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/mp3/tord-gustavsen/4200

Keith Jarrett new solo album is a strange one, he already had similar one at the very beginning of his musical career though (in 1968). Differently from his endless solo piano albums, "No End" is the album where he plays guitars,bass, keys,drums,etc, and the result is over-layered. Recorded in 1986, this music stylistically represents kind of fusion - with leading guitars and sometimes bass. 

I really waited for this second Tim Berne album on ECM. His ECM debut was interesting balance between his (NY-kind) spontaneity and freedom and ECM chamber tradition. This second one, recorded in NY and produced not by ECM head Manfred Eicher ( godfather of so-called "ECM-sound") but by David Torn and Berne himself  is another step towards synthesis of two above mentioned elements. From my very first listening it looks Berne succeed here even more - compositions are more detailed and pre-composed, the sound is almost as coming from Berne's live recordings, and all mix leaves chamber music impression, as on best ECM albums.In all cases, being real ECM product this music sounds much more adventurous and raw than we expect from current ECM recordings.

Edited by snobb - 17 Oct 2013 at 3:04am

Slartibartfast wrote: Wow, it's been so long since I've added and ECM album I had to look it up - 2011.  This is all John Zorn's fault.   I am overdue, don't you think?  My last one was Bjornstad/Darling/Rypdal/Christensen The Sea

Safe,moody and "pro" ECM veteran John Abercrombie album  "39 Steps". Slow/mid tempo American chamber jazz - with groove and jazz roots what is really better of its life-less European version. Great quartet - pianist Marc Copland and advanced rhythm section (bassist Drew Gress and drummer Joey Baron). More conservative than you can expect from such team, but very professional, great music for mainstream post bop fans.

Edited by snobb - 29 May 2015 at 3:33am

snobb wrote: Popular Italian pianist Stefano Bollani duo with Brazilian bandolim (a 10-string mandolin) player Hamilton de Holanda on ECM - unusually warm chamber Latin jazz, close to DiMeola's World Sinfonia recordings. Not too passionate, slightly melancholic and with touch of Italian classicism - nothing really new,but nice album for fans of such kind of music.    listen here: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/stefano-bollani--mp3.aspx?id=3843

snobb wrote: I know bassist Steve Swallow mostly by his regular collaboration with Carla Bley. On this Steve's solo album she plays some organ as well. Well-balanced very slightly melancholic mid-tempo straightforward jazz,not too complex to require all listener's concentration and not too sweet or light to be just sound wallpaper. Even has few adventurous moments. Seriously warmer sound than your regular ECM release. Carla and Steve have long European tour this year so if you like that music you can take your chance to see/hear them live.   listen here: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/steve-swallow--mp3.aspx?id=3477