ECM

My Foolish Heart is the latest solo album by master guitarist Ralph Towner, recorded at Lugano's Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI in February 2016, and produced by Manfred Eicher. Solo music is an important thread through Towner's rich discography. Diary was the title he gave to his first ECM solo album back in 1973 and each of his solo albums since then - the list includes Solo Concert, Ana, Anthem, and Time Line - has had a special autobiographical, diary-like character. The solo music is where one can see most clearly the inspirational strands informing Towner's music. He alludes to this in the performer's note introducing the new album, his first solo disc in a decade:<br/><br/>"'My Foolish Heart', the title song of this album had an immeasurable impact on my musical life, as it did with many of my colleagues in the world of jazz and improvisation. The seminal version, played by Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian set me on a course to try to attain the magic of this trio in my own attempts to play the piano, and later, on the classical guitar which became my principal instrument. I needed to know how it felt to inhabit such a reverent musical space. So, many years later, I've decided to pay a visit to this song and include it among a variety of my own pieces. I hope I've continued to use the inspiration I gained from that first encounter in all the music I play."

Towner Ralph: At first light 2023 [CD]

Molvaer Nils Petter: Khmer 1997 [CD]

Tord Gustavsen Trio: Opening 2022 [CD]

Released on the occasion of Anouar Brahem's 60th birthday, "Blue Maqams" offers many reasons to celebrate. Recorded in New York's Avatar Studios in May 2017 and produced by Manfred Eicher, it brings the Tunisian oud master together with three brilliant improvisers: the "Maqams" of the title refers to the Arabic modal music system, rendered kind of blue by the jazz players. For Anouar Brahem and Dave Holland the album marks a reunion: they first collaborated 20 years ago on the very widely-acclaimed "Thimar" album. Brahem meets Jack DeJohnette for the first time here, but Holland and DeJohnette have been frequent musical partners over the last half-century beginning with ground-breaking work with Miles Davis - their collaborations are legendary. British pianist Django Bates also rises superbly to the challenge of Brahem's compositions. And Anouar in turn is inspired to some of his most outgoing playing. "Blue Maqams" is a highlight of ECM's autumn season.

Nu, 30 år senare (!), släpper ECM åtta tidigare outgivna låtar från den legendariska livekonserten "At the Deer Head Inn" (1994). Keith Jarretts trio med Gary Peacock och Paul Motian bjuder på mer godis från en förtrollande kväll fylld av spelglädje och spontana infall.

Tillsammans med sina trogna vapendragare, Jarle Vespestad på trummor och Steinar Raknes på kontrabas, fördjupar sig Tord Gustavsen i sin unika blandning av jazz, blues, gospel, skandinavisk folkmusik och kyrkomusik.<br/><br/> "Resultatet är hänförande som så ofta hos Tord Gustavsen Trio. Tionde skivan från Tord Gustavsen är också en av hans bästa." (Andreas Lagercrantz)