December 29, 2022
On this website, I describe my activities related to building my own audio components — all of it quite technical. However, these wonderful technical gadgets are of little use without the right software. That’s why I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce some of my top musical favorites.
We’ll start with Pat Metheny. This album introduced me to jazz when I was just 19 years old. After hearing the track “San Lorenzo” for the first time, I put my rock albums aside.
Pat Metheny Group
Pat Metheny Group
1978 / ECM 1114
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
If I had to choose just one album, it would be this one. The interplay between Keith Jarrett and Jan Garbarek is simply indescribable, and “Country” is, for me, one of the most beautiful jazz pieces ever.
Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson & Jon Christensen
My Song
1978 / ECM 1115
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
The two albums listed above are the most important to me, which is why I’ve highlighted them. Below you’ll find the promised alphabetical list of my top albums. As you can see, there are quite a few ECM albums on the list.
Nik Bärtsch himself describes his group Ronin as a “Zen funk Quartet. ” The music is very unusual and rhythmic, and it never fails to captivate me.
Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin
Llyrìa
2010 / ECM 2178
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
I’ve always been very taken with the way Richard Beirach plays the piano. This album is certainly one of his finest.
Richard Beirach, George Mraz & Jack DeJohnette
ELM
1979 / ECM 1142
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
Gary Burton taught himself to play the vibraphone and developed a technique using four mallets. The young Pat Metheny can also be heard on this album. Listeners are treated to wonderful music and a masterful performance of the instruments.
Gary Burton Quartet with Eberhard Weber
Passengers
1978 / ECM 1092
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
The Codona Trilogy
Codona consists of Collin Walcott, Don Cherry, and Nana Vasconcelos. Together, these three musicians created music unlike anything anyone had ever heard before — and it hasn’t been replicated since. It’s certainly not for everyone, though. But if you like this kind of music, you can listen to it over and over again for the rest of your life. At least, that’s how I feel about these three albums.
Codona
Codona
1979 / ECM 1132
Codona
Codona 2
1981 / ECM 1177
Codona
Codona 3
1983 / ECM 1243
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
There isn’t much to say about Steve Eliovson. He recorded this one album and then disappeared from the scene. For me, it’s one of the most beautiful guitar recordings out there, right up there with Ralph Towner’s solo album, especially since — once again — Collin Walcott makes a significant contribution here.
Steve Eliovson & Collin Walcott
Dawn Dance
1981 / ECM 1198
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
Friedemann is often described as a wanderer between worlds, and his music is categorized as contemporary instrumental music. I don’t really care about any of that — I just like his music. Most of his albums are also excellent from an audiophile’s perspective.
Friedemann
Short Stories
2003 / Biber Records 76761
Image Source: www.jpc.de
For decades, Jan Garbarek has been THE saxophonist for me. He has so many wonderful albums that it’s hard for me to pick just one. But this one is truly one of his finest.
Jan Garbarek
Visible World
1996 / ECM 1585
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
Wikipedia:
Renaud Garcia-Fons is considered one of the most virtuosic double bassists working today in the genres of world music and jazz.
This album takes listeners on a musical journey around the Mediterranean and is simply brilliant.
Renaud Garcia-Fons
Méditerranées
2011 / Enja Records ENJ-9563 2
Image Source: www.allmusic.de
If you love jazz blended with folk music and exotic instruments, as well as flawless music, you definitely can’t go wrong with this album. There are a number of exceptional albums by and featuring these two musicians, most of which I own.
Egberto Gismonti & Nana Vasconcelos
Duas Vozes
1985 / ECM 1279
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
An album by and featuring three exceptional musicians. There are two albums from this trio’s time together. To be honest, I can’t say which one I like better. That’s why I decided to go with the older album.
Charlie Haden, Jan Garbarek & Egberto Gismonti
Magico
1980 / ECM 1151
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
According to Wikipedia, this is Keith Jarrett’s best-selling and most famous album. It is also the best-selling jazz and solo piano album of all time. In addition to these superlatives, it also features stunningly beautiful music.
Keith Jarrett
The Köln Concert
1975 / ECM 1064/1065
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
This is a new purchase from 2018. The album features a duo:
Piano and Dobro
With a unique blend of jazz and bluegrass, the two musicians highlight the striking similarities between these two seemingly contradictory worlds. The quiet melancholy of the fjords meets the endless solitude of the canyons; the biting cold of the Norwegian hinterland meets the blazing freedom of the American highways.
When I heard the Dobro for the first time, I sat in front of my speakers with my mouth agape.
Helge Lien & Knut Hem
Hummingbird
2018 / Ozella OZ079CD
Image Source: www.jpc.de
I’ve already mentioned Pat Metheny above. He recorded this album with his longtime collaborator Lyle Mays and percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. Along with the album mentioned above, this is my favorite among Metheny’s many releases.
Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays
As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls
1981 / ECM 1190
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
Oregon has been one of my favorite groups ever since I first got into jazz. On this recording, they perform as a trio, sadly without Collin Walcott, who died in a fatal accident. The recording was made in a church using digital equipment that was considered audiophile-grade for its time.
Oregon
Beyond Words
1995 / Chesky JD130
Image Source: www.jpc.de
This album, which consists entirely of pieces written by Gary Peacock, has a unique intensity. There are many wonderful albums by this trio, but for me, this one is by far the best.
Gary Peacock, Keith Jarrett & Jack DeJohnette
Tales Of Another
1977 / ECM 1101
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
Unfortunately, I didn’t discover Michel Petrucciani until 2019. I was immediately captivated by his style of piano playing. This trio’s 1997 concert at the Blue Note in Japan is simply thrilling. Among other tracks, it features what I consider to be the best interpretation of Miles Davis’ “So What”.
Michel Petrucciani, Steve Gadd & Anthony Jackson
Trio in Japan
2009 / Dreyfus Jazz FDM 46050 369252
Image Source: www.discogs.com
During a sleepless night, I was flipping through the TV channels when I suddenly came across a recording of a concert by the Herbert Pixner Project. Since I really enjoy listening to accordion music, I liked the music right away. Unfortunately, the recordings are overdriven, which causes frequent inter-sample peaks.
Herbert Pixner Projekt
Na und?!
2012 / Aktiv Sound Studio
Image Source: www.jpc.de
The band itself describes its musical style as a blend of tango, valse musette, flamenco, lovingly revived film scores, and a touch of Italy’s bygone era. I don’t like all of the group’s albums, but every single track on this one is simply beautiful.
Quadro Nuevo
Mocca Flor
2003 / GLM/Fine Music FM 110-2
Image Source: www.allmusic.com
There’s not much to say about e.s.t. This is my favorite album by this extraordinary trio. It’s tragic that Esbjörn Svensson’s career came to such an abrupt end in 2008.
e.s.t. – Esbjörn Svensson Trio
Tuesday Wonderland
2006 / ACT 9016-2
Image Source: www.actmusic.com
This live album captures the genius of this trio with incredible intensity. Who better to describe it than Esbjörn Svensson himself?
… 8 p.m. – about time to start! We get introduced and enter the stage. Time stops!
Performing improvised music is like transcending into another world or dimension.
…
… It sounded amazing and I was glad to hear how technically well the NDR had taped the show. …
The CD is pretty impressive, but it’s no match for the vinyl!
e.s.t. – Esbjörn Svensson Trio
Live in Hamburg
2007 / ACT 6002-2
2013 / ACT LP 6002-1
Image Source: www.actmusic.com
Esbjörn Svensson’s only solo album was recorded in his private practice room a few weeks before his death. This recording is overwhelming in its intensity and intimacy. For me, it’s the album of the year for 2022!
Esbjörn Svensson
HOME.S.
2022 / ACT 9053-2
2022 / ACTLP 9053-1
Image Source: www.actmusic.com
The music of the Tingvall Trio has a unique character and draws inspiration from the three different cultures of the band members. This trio captivates me right from the very first bars, time and time again.
Tingvall Trio
Vägen
2011 / Skip Records SKP 9107
Image Source: www.jpc.de
Ralph Towner is a member of the band Oregon. However, he has also released some truly remarkable solo albums. This recording of two of his solo concerts in Munich and Zurich is musically and technically flawless.
Ralph Towner
Solo Concert
1980 / ECM 1173
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
I have written about Collin Walcott on several occasions. He was one of the first sitar players in jazz. This album was released under his name. The tracks really showcase his two instruments, the sitar and the tabla. He was also a member of Oregon.
Collin Walcott, John Abercrombie, Dave Holland & Jack DeJohnette
Cloud Dance
1976 / ECM 1062
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com
Wikipedia:
Along with Jaco Pastorius, Eberhard Weber is one of the few bassists who have significantly expanded the role of the bass in jazz. His unique style is instantly recognizable by his tone and phrasing and is described as lyrical, ethereal, and warm.
He recorded his best albums around 1980. This album is one of them and my personal favorite.
Eberhard Weber
Yellow Fields
1976 / ECM 1066
Image Source: www.ecmrecords.com